The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, just ten days before the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.
According to documents seen by Vanguard, the account, which is reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a “Post No Debit” restriction by the anti-graft agency, preventing withdrawals or other debit transactions.
The development comes only hours after Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts as well as those of senior government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, Governor Adeleke described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the governorship election.
The governor argued that there was no legal justification for freezing the state’s accounts, insisting that the EFCC does not possess the statutory authority to take such action against the state government.
A source close to the governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed to Vanguard that the account had already been frozen.
> “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 the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement regarding the development, and the reason for placing the account under restriction remained unclear.
The latest development has heightened political tensions in Osun State as preparations intensify for the August 15 governorship election, with stakeholders expected to closely monitor further responses from both the state government and the anti-graft agency.
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