The Osun State Government has vowed to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court over the freezing of its bank accounts, describing the action as unlawful and politically motivated.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had authorised him to institute legal proceedings against the anti-graft agency following a “Post No Debit” directive allegedly issued to First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled.
According to Jimi-Bada, while the EFCC has the authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot legally freeze government accounts without first obtaining a court order.
“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without an order of court,” he said.
He warned that the restriction could disrupt government operations but assured residents that the state would seek judicial intervention to compel the EFCC to act within the confines of the law.
The Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also condemned the development, alleging that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some bank staff.
Ogungbile maintained that Governor Adeleke was not using state funds to finance his re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the impact of the action on governance and the welfare of Osun residents.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke had alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts as well as the accounts of top government officials.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged move as “the height of lawlessness,” claiming it was designed to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke insisted there was no legal justification for freezing the state’s accounts, arguing that the EFCC lacks the statutory powers to take such action against a state government without due process.
The EFCC has yet to officially respond to the allegations.
