The Osun State Government has announced plans to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court over the freezing of its bank accounts.
State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had authorised legal action after the EFCC reportedly issued a “Post No Debit” directive to First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled.
Jimi-Bada argued that while the anti-graft agency has the power to investigate government accounts, it cannot freeze them 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,” he said.
The Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also condemned the development, alleging that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested members of the bank’s staff.
He maintained that the state government was not using public funds to finance Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the impact of the action on governance and residents of the state.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke had alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts, as well as those of top government officials.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged move as unlawful.
He claimed the action was intended to disrupt government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
“The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyze government activities ahead of the August 15th governorship election,” the statement read.
Adeleke further argued that there was no legal justification for freezing the state’s accounts, insisting that the EFCC lacks the authority to freeze a state government’s bank accounts.
The EFCC had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
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