Fresh political tension has emerged in Osun State following reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed a key state government bank account under restriction less than two weeks before the August 15 governorship election.
The affected account, domiciled with First Bank and reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was said to have been placed on “Post No Debit” status, raising concerns over the possible impact on government operations.
The development came shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the anti-graft agency was planning to freeze the accounts of the state government and some senior officials in his administration.
Reacting to the situation, the governor, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described the reported action as an attempt to disrupt the activities of his administration on the eve of the governorship election.
According to the statement issued on Wednesday, Adeleke insisted that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government, maintaining that there was no justification for such action.
A source close to the government, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the restriction had already taken effect.
“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 source said.
Although the reason for the restriction was not immediately clear, the development has heightened political anxiety in the state as preparations intensify for the governorship election.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had yet to issue an official statement confirming or explaining the action, leaving questions over the circumstances surrounding the account restriction unanswered.
