Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and officials of the state government are facing fresh challenges following the reported freezing of a state government account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The account, domiciled with First Bank and reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a “Post No Debit” restriction by the anti-graft agency.
A source close to the governor confirmed the development, saying: “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 development comes just 10 days before the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Governor Adeleke had earlier alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the accounts of the Osun State Government and those of top government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the governorship election.
Adeleke insisted there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts, arguing that the EFCC lacks the statutory authority to take such action.