Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the state Attorney-General to challenge in court the freezing of a state government account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He gave the directive following the restriction placed on an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank by the anti-graft agency.
While addressing journalists at the Government House, Osogbo, the governor described the action as a breach of the rule of law and demanded an explanation from the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, on the reason behind the decision.
He called on Nigerians and residents of Osun State to pay attention to the development, describing it as a matter of public concern.
His words, “All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and Nigerians in general why he froze the Osun State Government account and provide evidence to support whatever reason he presents.
“This and other actions being taken against Osun State are turning our democracy into a huge joke,” Adeleke said.
The governor added that he had instructed the Attorney-General to file a suit at the Federal High Court in Osogbo to challenge the action.
The EFCC had earlier placed the account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, under a “Post No Debit” restriction.
The commission had yet to publicly state the reason for the restriction as of the time of filing this report.
Aldo, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwole Jimi-Bada, confirmed that the Governor had directed him to approach the Federal High Court to challenge the action, describing the move as one that could disrupt government activities
The decision followed a “Post No Debit” directive allegedly issued by the EFCC to First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled.
He maintained that while the anti-graft agency has the power to investigate government accounts, it cannot freeze them without a court order.
Also, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some bank staff.
He denied allegations that state funds were being used for Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the implications of the action on governance and the welfare of residents.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke had alleged that the EFCC planned to freeze all Osun State Government accounts, as well as those of top government officials, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged plan as unlawful and politically motivated, insisting that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government without due process.
