The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has allegedly immobilised a bank account belonging to the Osun State Government held at First Bank, only ten days prior to the gubernatorial election in the state.
Documents acquired by Vanguard indicate that the account, purportedly utilised for disbursing employee wages, has been subjected to a “Post No Debit” limitation by the anti-corruption agency.
The advancement occurred soon after Governor Ademola Adeleke claimed that the EFCC intended to suspend state government accounts and those of senior officials prior to the August 15 election.
In response to the action, the state administration, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, characterised the alleged act as an effort to hinder governmental functions prior to the election.
Governor Adeleke contended that there was no legal basis for the suspension of the state’s accounts, asserting that the EFCC does not possess the legal power to enact such measures against a state administration.
An individual familiar with the administration, who requested to remain unnamed, verified that the account had been limited.
I can verify that the EFCC has frozen the state government account. It is no longer a claim. The source indicated that the governor will soon confer with the media to inform the people of the circumstances.
At the time of submitting this report, the EFCC had not released an official comment concerning the situation, and the rationale for the account limitation was still ambiguous.