Edo Accountant-General Julius Anelu Arrested By EFCC

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Edo State Accountant General, Mr. Julius O. Anelu, and four other officials said to be signatories to the state government accounts.

The arrest is coming less than 11 days to the handing over to the Governor-elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, by the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Didactic Information Hut reports that the five state government officials are being held at the Benin office of the agency.

Information gathered indicates that the officials were arrested in an effort to prevent last minute withdrawal from the state account following the budget allegedly approved by the Edo State House of Assembly about two weeks to the inauguration of the new government.

A sourceknowledgeable on the matter said with the arrest, government activities had been halted, as the state was unable to pay emoluments due to civil servants, pensions, and other public servants.

Also affected were other statutory payments such as security bills and other obligations.

According to the source, the EFCC plans to keep the arrested officials till November 12, when the tenure of the outgoing government would end.

The EFCC was yet to react to the alleged arrest.