- accuses EFCC of acting APC script
- says account freeze meant to stop palliatives pay to workers
Osun State Government has debunked the alleged looting of N11 billion as justification by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for freezing its bank account.
While dismissing the allegation, the state government said the statement from the anti-graft agency was a failed attempt to cover up illegal action through unfounded allegations.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Thursday, it noted that the real reason the commission froze the state account was to stop the payment of palliatives which the state government promised the workers some months ago.
It said, “This account freezing marks the climax of Oyetola/Ambo’s historic anti-workers’ obsession.
“Fortunately, we have paid the palliatives to all Osun State workers. The latest payment of palliatives followed negotiation arising from workers’ request to cushion the effect of the harsh economic climate. This was not the first time such a cost-of-living subsidy was paid to Osun workers.”
Besides, the state government accused the EFCC of pursuing a hatchet job for the Osun All Progressives Congress by illegally freezing the state account and falsely accusing the government of looting ecological and other state funds.
“We don’t loot public funds in Osun state; we deliver on public goods and services,” Alimi stated.
He added that, “There is no fund to loot in Osun state as the little resources we have are expended on the many mega projects, workers’ welfare and sectoral developments for the benefit of the masses. We reject attempts to tarnish the image of our hardworking governor.”
The statement said the EFCC has been conducting a “witch-hunting” investigation since March, 2026 without any indicting evidence against top officials.
“Government officials are being harassed on a weekly basis, all with the sole aim of distracting them from delivering good governance to the Osun population.
“Osun has won several awards on budget and auditing transparency. Assuming but not conceding that the EFCC has any evidence of looting as posited, there are established procedures for bringing suspects to book instead of a politically motivated, unlawful freezing of government accounts without recourse to the rule of law.
“It is sad that a commission will lie to destroy the image of a state to cover up an illegal action that has backfired. This alibi from the commission is an afterthought, and it cannot stand the test of truth in reality and court of public opinion,” Alimi added.
