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 scheduled for August 15.
According to Vanguard, the account, which is reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a “Post No Debit” restriction by the anti-graft agency.
The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’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, the governor described the reported action as an attempt to cripple government operations ahead of the election.
Adeleke argued that there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts, maintaining that the EFCC lacks the statutory authority to take such action against the state government.
“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,” a government source was quoted as saying.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement in response to the allegation.