Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has demanded an explanation from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over the reported freezing of the state’s bank accounts.
Addressing journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke described the action as unlawful, insisting that the anti-graft agency acted without obtaining a court order.
The governor argued that the development poses a serious threat to democratic governance and the rule of law, warning against what he called the abuse of federal institutions against state governments.
According to Adeleke, the freezing of the accounts is part of a series of actions allegedly aimed at intimidating his administration ahead of the 15 August governorship election. He also accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating political pressure despite, according to him, lacking confidence in his party’s electoral chances.
Adeleke disclosed that the state government became aware of the action after its banker forwarded a directive from the EFCC instructing that the accounts be placed under a ‘Post No Debit’ restriction.
He maintained that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze a state government’s accounts without first obtaining an order from a competent court.
The governor announced that he has directed the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), to challenge the decision at the Federal High Court
in Osogbo.Responding to questions from journalists, Adeleke said several officials of his administration had previously honoured invitations from the EFCC and were cleared after questioning, making the decision to freeze the accounts even more surprising.
The Attorney General confirmed that legal proceedings against the anti-graft agency would commence immediately, arguing that while the EFCC is empowered to investigate financial transactions, it cannot lawfully freeze government accounts without judicial approval.
He warned that the restriction could disrupt government operations and affect the delivery of public services across the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police officers visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some bank officials following the EFCC’s directive.
Ogungbile denied allegations that state funds were being diverted for political campaigns and urged the commission to consider the impact the account freeze could have on civil servants and residents who depend on government services.
Earlier, the Osun State Government had raised concerns over an alleged plan by the EFCC to freeze not only government accounts but also those of senior state officials.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
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