OSOGBO, Nigeria — Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to explain the circumstances surrounding the freezing of the state’s bank account, describing the action as unlawful and alleging that it was carried out without a valid court order.
Governor Adeleke expressed concern over the development, arguing that the alleged freezing of the state government’s account could disrupt governance, delay the implementation of public projects and affect the delivery of essential services to residents. He maintained that any action affecting government finances must strictly comply with constitutional and legal procedures.
According to the governor, the state government was not provided with any court order authorising the restriction of its account before the action was taken. He insisted that due process should always be followed by law enforcement agencies, particularly in matters involving public institutions and government finances.
Adeleke urged the EFCC chairman to publicly clarify the legal basis for the action, stating that transparency and accountability are necessary to maintain public confidence in anti-corruption institutions. He argued that government agencies should exercise their powers within the limits prescribed by law while respecting constitutional safeguards.
The governor further stated that the alleged account restriction could negatively affect salary payments, ongoing infrastructure projects and other critical government programmes if not resolved promptly. He stressed that the welfare of citizens should not be jeopardised by administrative or legal disputes.
The Osun State Government reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent financial management. It maintained that it remains willing to cooperate with any legitimate investigation conducted in accordance with the law, provided due process is observed throughout the process.
The EFCC is empowered under Nigerian law to investigate financial crimes and, where necessary, obtain court orders to preserve funds connected to ongoing investigations. Such actions are generally subject to judicial authorisation and are intended to prevent the dissipation of assets while investigations continue.
Legal analysts note that disputes involving the freezing of bank accounts often centre on whether the appropriate legal procedures were followed before restrictions were imposed. They emphasise that courts ultimately determine the legality of such actions where disagreements arise between public institutions and law enforcement agencies.
As of the time of the governor’s statement, the EFCC had not publicly responded to the allegations or confirmed the specific circumstances surrounding the reported restriction of the Osun State Government’s account.
Governor Adeleke called for a swift resolution of the matter, expressing hope that any outstanding issues would be addressed through lawful procedures and constructive engagement. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the state’s financial interests while continuing to deliver services and development projects for the people of Osun State.
