EFCC Reportedly Freezes Osun Government Account Days to Governorship Election

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, less than two weeks before the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.

According to reports, the account, which is said to be used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.

The development followed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s allegation that the EFCC was planning to freeze the accounts of the state government and top government officials ahead of the election.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described the reported action as an attempt to disrupt government operations ahead of the poll.

Alimi argued that there was no legal basis for the alleged freezing of the state’s accounts, maintaining that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.

A government source was quoted as 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.”

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the alleged freezing of the account.