The freezing of Osun State Government’s bank account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked widespread outrage and heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The anti-graft agency directed a commercial bank to place a “post-no-debit” restriction on the account, citing ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving about ₦11 billion in public funds.
Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the move, describing it as unlawful and politically motivated. He said the state would challenge the action in court, insisting the EFCC must provide clear justification.
“The people of Osun deserve to know why this decision was taken,” Adeleke said, warning that such actions risk undermining democracy.
The EFCC, however, defended its decision, stating that it acted after detecting “suspicious transfers” from the account to multiple entities. The agency said the restriction was necessary to prevent possible diversion of public funds while investigations continue.
Political parties and stakeholders sharply disagreed over the development. The Accord Party and African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused federal authorities of using state institutions to influence the election, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for further investigation into alleged vote-buying by the state government.
Legal experts also weighed in, raising concerns about due process. Some argued that freezing a state’s account without a court order could violate constitutional provisions and disrupt governance, including salary payments and public services.
Others noted that while the EFCC has powers to investigate financial crimes, such actions must strictly follow legal procedures to avoid the appearance of political interference.
The controversy adds to rising political tension in Osun State, with just days to the election, as both sides prepare for legal and political battles over the issue.
