The Osun State Government has vowed to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court over the alleged freezing of its bank accounts, describing the action as unlawful and a threat to governance.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed this on Wednesday, saying Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to institute legal proceedings against the anti-graft agency.
According to Jimi-Bada, the EFCC issued a “Post No Debit” directive to the management of First Bank of Nigeria, where the state’s accounts are domiciled, effectively restricting transactions on the accounts.
He argued that while the commission has the power to investigate financial transactions, it lacks the legal authority to freeze a state government’s accounts without first obtaining a valid court order.
“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. The EFCC can investigate the accounts, but it cannot freeze the accounts without an order of court,” the commissioner said.
Jimi-Bada warned that the action could severely disrupt government operations and negatively affect the welfare of residents if not reversed.
He also dismissed suggestions that Governor Adeleke was using state funds to finance his re-election campaign, insisting that the administration had conducted its affairs within the confines of the law.
Earlier on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke had alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts, as well as the accounts of senior government officials.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as an abuse of power and a violation of constitutional principles.
“The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyse government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election,” the statement read.
Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for the action, arguing that the EFCC does not possess the statutory authority to freeze the accounts of a state government without due judicial process.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official response to the allegations by the Osun State Government.