The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State Government account held with First Bank just 10 days before the governorship election, documents obtained by this newspaper show.
The account, understood to be used for the payment of civil servants’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency, effectively blocking withdrawals.
The action came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke publicly alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of senior government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 election.
Adeleke insisted there was no legal basis for freezing the state government’s accounts, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such a step.
A source close to the governor, who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed the freeze. “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 this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement, and the reason for the restriction remained unclear.
