By Our Correspondent
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of freezing the state government’s bank account without any prior notice or court order. He made the allegation on Wednesday during a news conference in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to the governor, the state received a communication from its banker forwarding a directive from the EFCC instructing the bank to place a freeze on the account. Adeleke said the letter was delivered on Wednesday morning and left the government with no immediate access to funds for official transactions.
Adeleke described the action as a violation of due process and the rule of law. He argued that in a democracy, federal agencies must follow legal procedures before taking steps that affect sub-national governments, and that bypassing the courts sets a dangerous precedent.
The governor said the move poses a direct threat to democracy and to the constitutional rights of states. He warned that if federal agencies are allowed to act without judicial backing, it could undermine the relationship between the federal government and state governments across Nigeria.
Adeleke called on the Chairman of the EFCC to publicly explain the reason for freezing the account and to provide evidence to support the decision. He stressed that transparency is necessary to avoid speculation and to assure citizens that the action is not politically motivated.
In response, the governor said he has directed the Osun State Attorney General to challenge the EFCC’s directive in court. The case will be filed at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, where the state will seek an order to unfreeze the account and restrain further action without due process.
The development comes amid heightened political activity ahead of 2027, and Adeleke said his administration will not accept any attempt to trample on the rights of the state. He urged the EFCC to respect institutional boundaries while carrying out its anti-corruption mandate.
As of the time of the briefing, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the matter. Government officials in Osogbo said they are awaiting further communication from the commission while legal processes to contest the freeze move forward.
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