The Osun State Government has announced plans to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court following the anti-graft agency’s decision to place a restriction on the state’s accounts.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had authorised him to institute legal action against the commission over the move.
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Jimi-Bada disclosed that a Post No Debit directive issued by the EFCC was forwarded to the management of First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled.
“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without order of court.
“This step will affect government running but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” Jimi-Bada said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of the bank’s staff.
He maintained that Governor Adeleke was not using state funds to finance his re-election campaign and urged the EFCC to consider the implications of the action on the welfare of Osun residents.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze all Osun State Government accounts, as well as those of top government officials.
In a statement issued 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 governorship election.
“The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyze government activities ahead of the August 15th governorship election,” Adeleke said.
The governor also insisted that there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts, maintaining that the EFCC lacks the legal authority to freeze the account of a state government without due process.
