EFCC grills Edo Accountant General over withdrawal of huge funds days to end of Obaseki’s tenure

As Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure in Edo State nears its conclusion, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the state’s Accountant General, Julius Anelu, along with two other government officials.

The arrests are linked to allegations of substantial withdrawals from the state’s derivation account.

According to sources within the EFCC, of the ₦24.6 billion recently deposited into the government’s account, only ₦14 billion remained after a week, raising concerns about potential financial mismanagement.

This development follows accusations from Senator Monday Okpebholo, who has criticized the outgoing administration for engaging in “last-minute borrowings and looting.”

“We made some arrests of about two to three persons, including the Accountant General of the state. We have been investigating the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, since 2022 but this latest arrest was as a result of some withdrawals from the state’s derivation account.

“The amounts withdrawn were huge sums. For instance, about some weeks ago, N24.6bn was paid into that account. But in less than one week, about N14bn was remaining in the account. To save the state, we had to quickly move. We are not in any way doing that to ground the state activities”, said the source.

The EFCC is yet to officially react to the development as of the time of this report.

News360 Nigeria reported in October that the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu raised the alarm over alleged plans by his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki to steal money from the state treasury.

Shaibu had made this disclosure in a press briefing in Benin City, saying he had an offer of a financial reward to the tune of N1million to anyone who has information concerning alleged looting of government property as the administration winds down.

He had added that he had evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last-minute borrowing from financial institutions.

He had also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the ministry of roads and bridges, ongoing Radisson Hotel project and last-minute appointments by the outgoing administration.