Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has challenged the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over a directive instructing banks to freeze the state government’s accounts.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke described the anti-graft agency’s action as an illegality carried out without a valid court order, warning that it poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The governor stated that the state government was notified of the freezing order through a “Post No Debit” letter sent by the EFCC to its primary banker, First Bank.
Allegations of political motive
Governor Adeleke alleged that the move was politically motivated ahead of the state’s upcoming governorship election scheduled for 15 August.
“We are supposed to be in a democracy where the rule of law must always prevail,” Adeleke said. “We will not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of subnational governments.”
He added that while several state officials had previously honored EFCC invitations and cleared inquiries, freezing state accounts without judicial authorization lacks legal backing.
Legal challenge and operational impact
The Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), confirmed that he has received the governor’s directive to challenge the EFCC’s action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Jimi-Bada noted that while the commission retains the right to investigate public funds, it cannot freeze state accounts without a court order, adding that the action threatens to disrupt basic government operations.
Echoing the Attorney-General’s concerns, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, warned of the adverse impact the restriction would have on the well-being of residents, while denying claims that state funds were being diverted for electoral campaigning.
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