The Osun State Government has announced plans to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court following the freezing of its bank accounts.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had authorised legal action after the EFCC reportedly issued a Post No Debit directive to First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled.
Jimi-Bada argued that while the anti-graft agency has the authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot freeze a state government’s accounts without first obtaining a court order. He warned that the restriction could disrupt government operations but insisted the state would seek judicial intervention to protect its rights.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Finance Sola Ogungbile alleged that police officers visited First Bank’s main branch in Osogbo and arrested some bank staff. He dismissed claims that state funds were being used to finance Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the wider impact of the account freeze on governance and residents.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke had raised concerns over what he described as plans 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 governor alleged that the move was intended to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts and argued that the EFCC lacks the authority to take such action without due legal process.
