The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, just 10 days before the August 15 governorship election.
The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a Post No Debit (PND) restriction, according to documents obtained by Vanguard.
The development comes shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC planned to freeze state government accounts and those of top government officials ahead of the election.
Reacting, the Osun State Government described the reported action as an attempt to disrupt government operations before the poll. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s account, while Governor Adeleke insisted the EFCC lacks the statutory authority to take such action against a state government.
A source within the administration also confirmed that the account had been restricted and said Governor Adeleke would address the public on the matter.
The EFCC had yet to issue an official statement on the reported account restriction as of the time of filing this report, and the reason for the action remains unclear.
