The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reportedly frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, just 10 days before the state’s governorship election.
The account, said to be used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was reportedly placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.
The development comes hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state government’s accounts as well as those of top government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, Adeleke described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor insisted that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, maintaining that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.
A source close to the governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the account had already been frozen.
“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.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had yet to issue an official statement on the development, while the reason for the restriction on the account remained unclear.
