The Osun State Government has initiated a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in response to the reported freezing of its bank accounts, labeling the action as unlawful and potentially disruptive to government operations.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, stated on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke instructed him to approach the Federal High Court to contest the anti-graft agency’s decision.
Jimi-Bada revealed that the state learned of the EFCC’s “Post No Debit” directive issued to First Bank, where several governmental accounts are held, effectively halting transactions on these accounts.
He asserted that while the EFCC possesses constitutional rights to investigate financial dealings, it lacks the authority to freeze a state government’s bank accounts without obtaining a valid court order first.
“I am authorized by the governor to move to the Federal High Court to challenge this action. The EFCC can investigate the accounts, but it cannot freeze them without a court order,” he explained.
The Attorney General cautioned that such restrictions could significantly impact the government’s daily operations and its ability to provide essential public services throughout the state.
“This action will disrupt government functioning, but we will contest it and ensure that the agency operates within legal boundaries,” he continued.
Additionally, Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, reported that police officers had visited First Bank’s main branch in Osogbo and detained some bank staff during the episode.
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Ogungbile dismissed allegations that state funds were being diverted for Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign, maintaining that public funds were not misused for political objectives.
He urged the EFCC to recognize the broader consequences of restricting the accounts on governance and on residents dependent on government services.
Prior to the account freeze reports, Governor Adeleke had accused the anti-corruption body of planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts, including those of high-ranking officials.
In a previous statement by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor argued that the alleged action lacked legal basis and was intended to disrupt government operations ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
“The move to freeze state government accounts aims to hinder government functions before the August 15 election,” Adeleke stated.
The governor reiterated that the EFCC holds no legal power to freeze a state government’s accounts without adhering to proper judicial procedures.
