EFCC allegedly grounds Edo govt, arrests signatories to state’s accounts

Less than twelve days to the final handing-over event in Edo State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has allegedly arrested all signatories to the State Government’s accounts.

Tribune Online gathered that the move was to ground the outgoing government of Governor Godwin Obaseki until the handover of government on November 12 to the incoming administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.

Sources within the EFCC and the office of the Accountant General, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that five Edo State Government officials, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, were picked up on Thursday evening and taken to the Benin office of the anti-graft agency.

The arrested government officials were said to have been invited for a briefing and were subsequently detained.

With the arrest, government activities, the source disclosed, had been halted as the state government would not be able to access any government funds as the signatories to various government accounts are currently with the anti-graft commission.

The state government, the sources added, would not be able to pay emoluments due to civil servants, pensions, and other public servants, throwing the state into chaos. Other statutory payments such as security bills and other obligations are also affected.

Tribune Online also gathered that the arrested officials might be kept in custody till November 12, when the transition processes will be completed.

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