The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the Osun State Government account at First Bank ten days before the governorship election.
The anti-graft agency placed the account, which was apparently used to pay workers’ paychecks, in “Post No Debit” status.
The development came just hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke claimed the EFCC was preparing to freeze the state’s and top government officials’ accounts.
In a statement published on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor condemned the alleged move as an attempt to hamper government functions ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke stressed that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.
A source close to the governor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed to the press 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.
