EFCC Freezes Osun Govt Account Days Before Governorship Election

By Joseph Sunday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reportedly frozen an Osun State Government account with First Bank, 10 days before the governorship election scheduled for August 15.

According to documents obtained by Vanguard, the account, said to be used for payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a “Post No Debit” restriction by the anti-graft agency.

The development comes days after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze accounts belonging to the state government and top officials ahead of the election.

Reacting to the development, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described the action as an attempt to disrupt government operations in the build-up to the poll.

Governor Adeleke argued that there was no legal justification for the action, insisting that the EFCC lacks the statutory power to freeze accounts belonging to a state government.

A source close to the administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the restriction.

“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source said.

As of press time, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the development, while the reason for the restriction remained unclear.