The Osun State Government has announced plans to take the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to court after the anti-graft agency reportedly froze one of the state’s bank accounts.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to immediately file a suit at the Federal High Court to challenge the action.
The move follows a “Post No Debit” directive reportedly sent by the EFCC to First Bank, restricting transactions on the state’s account.
Jimi-Bada argued that while the EFCC has the authority to investigate financial activities, it cannot freeze a state government account without first obtaining a court order.
“I have the governor’s mandate to challenge this action in court. The EFCC can investigate, but it cannot freeze government accounts without due legal process,” he said.
He warned that the restriction could disrupt government operations and affect the delivery of services across the state.
“We believe this action is unlawful. It will impact governance, but we are determined to ensure that the law is followed,” he added.
The state government also dismissed claims that Governor Adeleke was using public funds to finance his re-election campaign.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police officers stormed First Bank’s main branch in Osogbo and arrested some staff members during the operation.
He urged the Federal Government to consider the impact of such actions on ordinary residents, insisting that state funds were not being used for political purposes.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke had raised concerns that the Federal Government was planning to freeze Osun State accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor also alleged that some top government officials were being targeted.
According to Adeleke, if the reports are true, the move would amount to a serious abuse of power.
“The plan to freeze state accounts is aimed at paralysing government activities just days before the election,” he said.
The governor maintained that the EFCC has no legal basis to seize state funds and vowed to pursue the matter through the courts.
