The Osun State Government has commenced legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the reported freezing of its bank accounts, describing the move as unlawful and capable of disrupting government operations.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, announced on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to file a suit before the Federal High Court to challenge the anti-graft agency’s action.
According to Jimi-Bada, the state government received information that the EFCC issued a “Post No Debit” directive to First Bank, where several government accounts are domiciled, effectively restricting transactions on the accounts.
He argued that while the EFCC has the constitutional authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot freeze a state government’s bank accounts without first obtaining a valid 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.
The Attorney General warned that the restriction could seriously affect the day-to-day administration of government and the delivery of essential public services across the state.
“This step will affect government running, but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” he added.
Also reacting, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police officers visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of the bank’s staff during the incident.
Ogungbile also dismissed claims that state funds were being used to finance Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign, insisting that public resources were not being diverted for political purposes.
He urged the EFCC to consider the wider implications of the account restriction on governance and the welfare of residents who rely on government services.
Before the accounts were reportedly frozen, Governor Adeleke had accused the anti-graft agency of planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts, including those belonging to senior government officials.
In an earlier statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged action as lacking legal justification and claimed it was aimed at disrupting government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
“The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyse government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election,” Adeleke said.
The governor maintained that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government without following due judicial process.
