The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an account belonging to the Osun State Government and domiciled with First Bank, just 10 days to the state’s August 15 governorship election.
The development comes amid heightened political activities in Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
The action is coming hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke raised the alarm over an alleged plan by the anti-graft agency to freeze the accounts of the state government and some senior government officials.
Adeleke had described the move as an attempt to cripple the financial operations of the state government ahead of the election.
The governor also questioned the legal basis for the alleged action, insisting that the EFCC lacked the statutory authority to freeze the accounts of a state government.
With the reported freezing of the First Bank account, the development is expected to trigger fresh political and legal controversy in the state, coming at a sensitive period of the electioneering process.
The EFCC had yet to publicly explain the reason for the reported restriction on the account as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Adeleke, has directed legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged freezing of the state government’s accounts.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists.
He said the governor had mandated him to approach the Federal High Court to challenge the action.
Jimi-Bada said the anti-graft agency issued a “Post No Debit” instruction to First Bank, where the state government’s accounts are domiciled, effectively restricting access to funds.
He maintained that while the EFCC has the power to investigate financial matters, it cannot freeze government accounts without 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.
“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 said.
The commissioner warned that the restriction could disrupt government operations and affect the state’s ability to meet its financial obligations.
Also speaking, the Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some bank staff.
Ogungbile insisted that the Adeleke administration was not using state funds to finance its campaign for the August 15 governorship election.
He urged the EFCC to consider the wider implications of its action, especially its impact on governance and the welfare of residents.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke had raised the alarm over an alleged plan by the EFCC to freeze all Osun State Government accounts as well as those of top officials.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke said there was no legal justification for freezing the state’s accounts, insisting that the EFCC lacked the authority to take such action against a state government.
He warned that any attempt to paralyse the state’s finances could have serious consequences for governance and the people of Osun State.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
