Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account

Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has demanded an explanation from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over the freezing of an account belonging to the Osun State Government.

Adeleke, who spoke with journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, described the action as unlawful and warned that it could disrupt government activities and affect the delivery of essential public services across the state.

The governor said the state government received a letter from its bank indicating that the EFCC had directed the financial institution to place a restriction on the government account.

According to Adeleke, the action was taken without a court order, adding that the state government would challenge the decision through legal means. (TheCable)

“We are supposed to be in a democracy where the rule of law must always prevail,” the governor said.

Adeleke argued that federal agencies must operate within constitutional and legal boundaries, insisting that the rights and powers of state governments should be respected.

He called on Olukoyede to publicly explain the reason for the account restriction and provide evidence to support the action.

“All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and Nigerians in general why he froze the Osun State Government account and show proof to support whatever reason he presents,” Adeleke said.

READ ALSO:

• Nollywood Actress Temitope Osoba Dies at 40 After Courageous Cancer Battle
• BREAKING: 61.54% Pass Rate as WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Results – How to Check Results
• Army Arrests Two Soldiers for Acting as Bouncers at TikToker Peller’s Lavish Lagos Wedding

The governor alleged that the development was part of a wider effort to intimidate his administration ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election.

He also accused former Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, of being behind what he described as political attacks against his administration. The allegation was not independently established in the reports reviewed.

Adeleke maintained that his government would not accept actions it considered unconstitutional or politically motivated.

He subsequently directed the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, to institute legal action against the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Osogbo. (Vanguard News)

Jimi-Bada said the state government received a “Post No Debit” communication linked to the EFCC’s directive to the bank where the affected government account is domiciled.

The Attorney-General said the state government was prepared to challenge the restriction, arguing that while the anti-graft agency has the power to investigate financial transactions, it must act within the limits of the law.

He said the restriction could affect the day-to-day operations of the state government but expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through the courts.

Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also raised concerns about the possible impact of the account restriction on government operations and the welfare of residents.

Ogungbile denied claims that the Adeleke administration was using state funds to finance its re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the potential consequences of restricting access to government funds.

Earlier, Adeleke had raised the alarm over an alleged plan to freeze additional Osun State Government accounts and the accounts of some senior government officials.

In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor alleged that the planned action was intended to paralyse government activities ahead of the governorship election.

Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the state government’s accounts and insisted that the anti-graft agency must follow due process in carrying out its investigations.

The development has heightened political tension in Osun ahead of the governorship election, with the state government insisting that it will seek judicial intervention while demanding a public explanation from the EFCC.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not publicly released detailed reasons for the account restriction or responded to the allegations made by the Osun State Government.

Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account