The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen bank account belonging to the Osun State government ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election in the state.
The state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference in Osogbo, stating that the state government received a letter from its bank Monday morning, forwarding an instruction from the EFCC to freeze the account.
Adeleke, while condemning the freezing of the state account by the anti-graft agency, described it as an illegality and a threat to democracy.
“This action was taken without any court order. We are supposed to be in a democracy, where the Rule of Law must always prevail,” the governor said.
Adeleke alleged that the action was part of a wider pattern of intimidation against Osun people ahead of the August 15 governorship election, including the “deliberate paralysis of the local government system” and “daily harassment and arrests of Accord members.”
He said over 60 Accord members have been arrested and taken to Abuja without charges, while several others have been killed.
“This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun State are turning our democracy into a huge joke,” he stated.
The governor said he has directed the state attorney general to challenge the EFCC’s action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
He also called on the EFCC Chairman to explain to Nigerians why the account was frozen and to provide proof for the action.
“We will not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of subnational governments,” Adeleke added.
Earlier, Tribune Online reported that the governor had on Tuesday raised the alarm, alleging a plot by the EFCC to freeze the state accounts.
Adeleke, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi and released on Tuesday in Osogbo, said he had received what he described as credible reports that the anti-graft agency had concluded plans to freeze all Osun State government accounts.
