The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Edo State and Acting Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Akiotu, is reportedly being questioned by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of financial misconduct involving local government funds.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the probe centers on claims that council funds were transferred from official local government accounts into personal accounts and accounts allegedly linked to associates. Investigators are reportedly examining several financial transactions suspected to have breached public finance regulations and due process requirements.
The SFU is said to be reviewing financial records, bank transactions, and payment trails connected to the administration of Etsako East Local Government as part of its ongoing investigation.
Sources further alleged that some senior officials within the Edo State Government, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), have made efforts to influence the investigation and secure Akiotu’s release. However, these claims have not been officially confirmed.
The development follows earlier reports that the SFU had invited Akiotu and three senior officials of Etsako East Local Government for questioning over allegations of illegal financial transfers, misappropriation of public funds, and related offences.
The officials invited alongside Akiotu include the Director of Finance, the Head of Department for Budget, Planning and Statistics, and the Director of Administration and General Services.
The investigation was reportedly triggered by petitions submitted by civil society organisations alleging widespread financial irregularities within the council. The petitioners accused the council leadership of offences including criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, procurement fraud, money laundering, and abuse of office.
At the heart of the allegations are claims that local government funds were channelled through private accounts and corporate entities without proper authorisation, transparency, or adherence to competitive procurement procedures.
Sources close to the case claim that transactions exceeding N100 million, involving both statutory allocations and internally generated revenue, are under scrutiny. Investigators are also examining the roles of two private companies which petitioners allege received public funds despite having no verifiable record of executing contracts for the local government.
The matter has also taken on a political dimension, with allegations that certain political figures and party leaders shielded Akiotu from scrutiny. None of the individuals mentioned in the allegations has publicly responded to the claims.
Police sources, however, maintain that the investigation is ongoing and will be conducted in accordance with the law. They emphasised that no charges have been filed against any individual at this stage.
“The investigation is still ongoing, and any further action will depend on the outcome of the findings,” a source familiar with the probe reportedly stated.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the SFU leadership were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls and text messages sent to the supervising Commissioner of Police were not answered.
The Special Fraud Unit continues to expand its investigation to determine whether other individuals may have been involved in the transactions under review.
