Governor says anti-graft agency ordered account restriction without court approval as state questions legality of move.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of directing the freezing of a state government account used for workers’ salaries, barely 10 days before the August 15 governorship election.
According to the governor, the state received a letter from its commercial bank informing it of an EFCC directive placing the account on “Post No Debit” status without a court order. He described the action as unconstitutional and a threat to democratic governance, calling on the anti-graft agency to publicly explain the legal basis for the decision.
Adeleke maintained that the state government had fully cooperated with EFCC investigations, noting that several officials, including accounting officers and ministry personnel, had been questioned but no evidence of wrongdoing was established. He insisted that the administration had maintained a record of prudence and transparency.
The state government had earlier alleged that the EFCC planned to freeze its accounts and those of some senior officials, a claim made before the reported restriction took effect.
Also reacting, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, argued that the EFCC lacked the unilateral authority to freeze a state government’s statutory account. He said such accounts contain public funds meant for salaries, healthcare, education, security and other essential services, adding that any restriction should only be authorised by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Commissioner for Finance, Adeola Ogungbile, dismissed suggestions that public funds were being diverted for political purposes, insisting that Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign was driven by the administration’s performance rather than government resources.
The EFCC had not issued an official response to the allegations or explained the reported restriction as of the time of filing this report.
The development comes ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, in which Governor Adeleke is seeking a second term in office.