Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has vowed to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court over its decision to freeze the state government's bank accounts, describing the action as unlawful and an abuse of democratic principles.
Speaking with journalists at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke questioned the authority of the anti-graft agency to order the restriction of the state's accounts without first securing a court order.
He called on EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to publicly explain the basis for the decision and provide evidence to justify the action.
According to the governor, the state government was informed of the development through a letter from its banker conveying the EFCC's directive to place a restriction on the accounts.
He maintained that the action violated the rule of law and constituted an infringement on the constitutional rights of a federating state.
Adeleke also alleged that the move formed part of a broader campaign of intimidation against his administration ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He accused former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the pressure on his government, claiming the opposition was resorting to federal institutions because it could not secure victory at the polls.
The governor warned that allowing federal agencies to act outside the law would weaken Nigeria's democratic institutions.
He announced that the state's Attorney General had been directed to institute legal proceedings at the Federal High Court in Osogbo to challenge the EFCC's directive.
Responding to questions, Adeleke said officials of his administration had previously honoured invitations from the EFCC and cooperated fully with investigations, noting that many of them were cleared before the agency eventually froze the government's accounts.
Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), confirmed that legal action would be taken against the anti-graft agency.
He disclosed that First Bank, where the state's accounts are domiciled, forwarded a "Post No Debit" notice issued by the EFCC to the state government on Wednesday.
While acknowledging the commission's investigative powers, Jimi-Bada argued that the EFCC could not lawfully freeze the accounts of a state government without first obtaining an order from a competent court.
He warned that the action could disrupt government operations but insisted the state would seek judicial intervention to ensure due process was followed.
The Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also condemned the development, alleging that police officers stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some bank staff.
Ogungbile dismissed suggestions that state funds were being used to finance Governor Adeleke's re-election campaign, urging the EFCC to consider the impact of the account restriction on governance and the welfare of Osun residents.
Earlier, the state government had raised concerns over an alleged plan by the EFCC to freeze all government accounts as well as those belonging to senior public officials.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government described the reported plan as an attempt to cripple state activities ahead of the governorship election.
The statement insisted there was no legal justification for freezing the state's accounts and maintained that the EFCC lacked the statutory authority to take such action without judicial approval.
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