EFCC freezes Osun government account ahead of governorship election

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, less than two weeks before the August 15 governorship election.

 

The affected account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status, restricting withdrawals and other debit transactions.

 

The development comes hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the anti-graft agency was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials ahead of the election.

 

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged move as an attempt to cripple government activities before the governorship poll.

 

Adeleke argued that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, maintaining that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.

 

A source close to the governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the account had 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 on the development, while the reason for the restriction on the account was not immediately disclosed.