In Bayelsa SARS storm residence of Govt House accountant over alleged $4.6m theft

Dickson had handed over the sum to his accountant cousin shortly before departing for Akure, the Ondo State capital, to conduct the PDP governorship primary

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Wednesday, August 25, reportedly stormed the private residence of Richard Etonye, the accountant to the Bayelsa State Government House, and ransacked it.

According to Sahara Reporters, the house, located along Brass Road was allegedly raided on the orders of Governor Seriake Dickson after Etonye reportedly absconded with his principal's $4.6 million.

Dickson was said to have handed the money to the accountant a few days before the raid on Wednesday.

But the Governor's spokesman denied the claims, saying the government has no hand in the raid. He also denied knowledge any money exchanging hands between Dickson and Etonye.

“[Mr. Etonye] absolutely did not take any money from the Governor. We were told that the team was sent from the IG [Idris] from Police Force HQ but we don’t know why,” the unidentified spokesman said.

A source, as cited by the online news portal, Dickson had handed over the sum to his accountant cousin shortly before departing for Akure, the Ondo State capital, to conduct the PDP governorship primary.

''The money was given to him by Oga before we left for Ondo State but by the time we returned, the accountant was no where to be found and his lines switched off,” one source said.

''Even his wife was not at home and after waiting for over twelve hours, the governor ordered that his private residence be searched by the police to see whether or not he kept the money there. Right now, we are looking from him because he has evacuated his family from the official quarters in Government House,'' the source said.