Explain Why You Froze Osun Government Account, Adeleke Tells EFCC Boss

Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has challenged the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to publicly explain the legal basis for freezing the Osun State Government’s bank account, describing the action as unconstitutional and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Addressing journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke alleged that the anti-graft agency acted without a court order and vowed to challenge the decision at the Federal High Court.

The governor accused the EFCC of carrying out the action at the instance of his predecessor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, claiming it was part of efforts to intimidate his administration ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

“All these intimidation and attacks were carried out on the order of Gboyega Oyetola over an election his candidate cannot win,” Adeleke alleged.

He said the state government received a letter from its banker informing it of the EFCC’s directive to place the account under a “Post No Debit” restriction.

“As if all these were not enough, this morning, we received a letter from our banker forwarding a letter from the EFCC instructing the bank to freeze the Osun State Government account.

“This action was taken without any court order. We are supposed to be in a democracy where the rule of law must always prevail. We will not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of sub-national governments,” he said.

The governor described the development as a dangerous precedent capable of eroding democratic governance if left unchecked.

“This is a threat to our democracy. If we all keep quiet and allow this illegality, whatever is left of our democracy will soon be fully eroded. I ask the EFCC chairman to explain to the people of Osun State and Nigerians why he froze the state government’s account and provide proof to justify the action,” Adeleke added.

He disclosed that he had directed the state’s Attorney-General to institute legal proceedings against the commission.

Speaking on the development, the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), confirmed that he had been instructed by the governor to challenge the account freeze in court.

According to him, First Bank forwarded the EFCC’s “Post No Debit” directive to the state government on Wednesday.

Jimi-Bada argued that while the Commission has powers to investigate government accounts, it cannot lawfully freeze them without first obtaining a court order.

“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. The EFCC can investigate the accounts, but it cannot freeze them without an order of court.

“This action will affect government operations, but we will ensure the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” he said.

Responding to questions from journalists, Adeleke revealed that several state government officials had previously honoured EFCC invitations and were cleared before the agency froze the government’s account.

He maintained that there was no justification for the commission’s latest action.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of the bank’s staff.

Ogungbile denied allegations that state funds were being diverted for the governor’s re-election campaign, insisting that government resources were being managed responsibly.

He urged the EFCC to consider the wider implications of freezing government accounts, warning that the action could disrupt governance and negatively affect residents who depend on government services.

The latest development comes hours after Adeleke had raised the alarm over what he described as plans by the EFCC to freeze all Osun State Government accounts and those belonging to top government officials.

In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor alleged that the move was intended to paralyse government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He argued that the EFCC has no statutory authority to freeze the account of a state government and insisted there was no legal basis for the action.

At the time of filing this report, the EFCC had yet to issue an official response to the allegations or explain the reason for placing the Osun State Government’s account under restriction.