Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of directing the freezing of a state government account domiciled with a commercial bank, 10 days before the August 15 governorship election.
The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was allegedly placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency, according to documents cited in reports on the development.
The allegation came hours after the state government, in a statement on its official website, raised concerns that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of some top government officials.
Speaking on the matter, the governor said the state government had received a letter from its banker informing it of the EFCC’s directive.
“This morning, we received a letter from our banker, forwarding a letter from the EFCC, instructing the bank to freeze Osun State Government account. This action was taken without any court order.
“We are supposed to be in a democracy where the rule of law must always prevail. We will therefore not accept any situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of sub-national governments. This is a threat to democracy. If we all keep quiet and allow this illegality, very soon, whatever is left of our democracy will be fully eroded.
“All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and to Nigerians in general why he froze Osun State Government account and show proof to support whatever reason he presents. This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun are turning our democracy into a huge joke,” the governor stated.
Adeleke also said several government officials had been invited by the EFCC for questioning but that the agency had not found the state government wanting.
“We have not rested because they’ve been inviting everybody. Everybody in account, they’ve invited the accountant, invited everybody, even all the ministries. They’ve invited them for questioning.
“And after the questioning, they’re back. Nothing found. They never found Osun State wanting. Because when you look at the history of prudence and transparency, we came first. We are very transparent,” he said.
The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Osun State, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said the EFCC did not have unilateral powers to freeze or restrict the state government’s statutory account.
“Our considered view is that Section 24 of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act and Section 38 of the Economic and Financial Transformation Act 2004 do not confer on the EFCC the unilateral power to freeze, restrict, or interfere with the statutory account of a state government.
“The statutory account of Osun State contains public funds meant for governance, salaries, pension, health care, education, security, and other essential obligations to the people. Any restriction on such funds raises serious constitutional questions which, in our respectful view, should be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction,” Jimi-Bada said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Finance, Adeola Ogungbile, dismissed suggestions that the state government’s activities were being funded from its limited statutory allocation.
“I want to put in proper perspective that the re-election of Osun State Governor is not being funded from the meagre allocation that we use to maintain this class of people, but rather the good work of Mr. Governor is why the Osun State people are resolute to ensure that Mr. Governor comes back victorious by August 15,” he said.
The EFCC has yet to publicly respond to the allegation or explain the alleged restriction on the account.
The development comes ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, in which Adeleke is seeking re-election.
