The Osun State Government has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the freezing of its bank accounts, describing the move as unlawful and capable of disrupting government operations.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to challenge the EFCC’s action at the Federal High Court.
Jimi-Bada said the state government received a “Post No Debit” notice issued by the EFCC to the management of First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled.
He argued that while the anti-graft agency has the authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot freeze a state government’s accounts without first obtaining a court order.
“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without order of court.
“This step will affect government running but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” Jimi-Bada said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of the bank’s staff.
Ogungbile further dismissed allegations that Governor Adeleke was using state funds to finance his re-election campaign, urging the EFCC to consider the potential impact of its actions on governance and the welfare of residents.
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Earlier, Governor Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor also claimed that the anti-graft agency intended to freeze the accounts of top government officials.
According to Adeleke, if the reported plan was true, it would amount to “the height of lawlessness” and was aimed at crippling government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
He maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts, insisting that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action against a state government.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not responded to the allegations.
