The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly placed a restriction on an Osun State Government bank account domiciled with First Bank, less than two weeks before the August 15 governorship election.
According to reports, the account, said to be used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.
The development came shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the accounts of the Osun State Government and those of senior government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged action as politically motivated and aimed at disrupting government operations ahead of the election.
Adeleke maintained that the EFCC lacked the constitutional and statutory authority to freeze the accounts of a state government and insisted there was no legal basis for such a move.
A source close to the governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly confirmed that the account had been restricted.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said Governor Adeleke had directed him to challenge the EFCC’s action in court.
Jimi-Bada disclosed that a “Post No Debit” letter from the EFCC was forwarded to First Bank on Wednesday, adding that the state government would approach the Federal High Court to contest the restriction.
According to him, the EFCC may investigate government accounts but cannot freeze them without a valid court order.
“This step will affect government operations, but we will challenge it and ensure the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some staff members.
He denied allegations that state funds were being used for Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the implications of the restriction on workers and residents of the state.
Earlier on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke had raised the alarm over what he described as a plot by the EFCC to freeze all Osun State Government accounts as well as the accounts of top government functionaries.
The governor said such a move, if carried out, would amount to an attempt to paralyse government activities ahead of the governorship election.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the matter.
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