The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly placed an Osun State Government account with First Bank on “Post No Debit” status, effectively freezing the account just 10 days before the state’s governorship election, according to documents obtained by Vanguard.
The affected account is said to be used for the payment of workers’ salaries.
The action came only hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the anti-graft agency was preparing to freeze the state’s accounts as well as those of some senior government officials.
In a statement released on Wednesday through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the alleged move as an effort to disrupt government operations ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke argued that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government, insisting there is no statutory basis for such action.
A source close to the governor, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, told Vanguard that the account had indeed been frozen.
“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source said.
At the time this report was filed, the EFCC had yet to release an official statement on the matter, while the reason for the account restriction remained unclear.
