EFCC’s invitation letter to Edo State Govt officials before arrest, detention

A letter revealing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) invitation of Edo State Government officials prior to their arrest and detention has surfaced.

GistReel had reported that the EFCC had detained several Edo State officials who are signatories on the state’s government accounts.

Sources stated on Friday that approximately five officials, including the Accountant General of Edo State, are being held at the EFCC’s Benin office.

According to sources, these officials were reportedly arrested on Thursday after being called in for a briefing. Those summoned for questioning by the EFCC include the Accountant-General of Edo State, Julius O. Anelu, as well as Martina Osasu-Uwoghiren, Adaghe Anthony, and Okhomina Godwin.

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, confirmed the arrests in a statement to Naija News on Saturday, stating that the EFCC’s detention of these officials aims to disrupt governance in the state.

According to him, Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki runs a transparent and accountable Government.

His statement read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a letter dated October 28, 2024, invited four officials from the Edo State Treasury Office, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, to its Benin Office.

“The letter of invitation, addressed to the Secretary to the State Government and titled “Loans and Agricultural Interventions Granted to Edo State Government from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) from 2018 to date,” pertains to an agricultural facility that has since been repaid by the State Government.

“The government officers, including the State Accountant on Thursday, honoured the invitation as requested at the Benin Office of the EFCC to provide necessary answers as required by the EFCC.

“However, upon realizing that one of the invited officials was no longer a signatory to the government account, the EFCC released the officer and requested for the current signatory, whose name was not initially on the invitation letter. The said officer is now also being detained by the agency at Abuja , in addition to the others who were originally invited and honoured the invitation.

“The EFCC seems intent on crippling governance in Edo State and acting out a script that portends grave danger to democracy. The reason for the invitation of these civil servants is clear, contrary to the invitation letter is to keep them in EFCC custody till November 12, on the day of the termination of the tenure of this government.

“In fact, from Monday, government would have been grounded and will no longer be able to meet up with basic responsibilities and obligations.

“This devious action is most condemnable and reprehensible and we urge the EFCC to act responsibly in the interest of democracy, justice, peace and the wellbeing of Edo people and immediately release these government officials, and not throw Edo State into chaos.

“Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki runs a transparent and accountable Government. This Government runs until November 12th, 2024. Unconstituitional actions should not be done to hinder its operations.”