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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly placed one of the Osun State Government’s bank accounts under restriction less than two weeks before the state’s governorship election.
Documents obtained on Wednesday indicated that the account, domiciled with First Bank and reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, had been placed on a “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.
The development followed claims by Governor Ademola Adeleke that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of some senior government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported restriction as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the operations of the state government in the run-up to the election.
Adeleke argued that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, maintaining that the EFCC lacked the statutory authority to impose such restrictions.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the account had been placed under restriction.
According to the source, the affected account could no longer be used for financial transactions. The official added that Governor Adeleke would brief journalists to provide further details on the development.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement confirming or explaining the reported restriction, and the reason for the action remained unclear.
The reported restriction comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
In recent months, Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Government have repeatedly alleged that federal institutions and agencies have taken actions they believe are aimed at undermining the state administration.
The Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have consistently rejected such allegations, insisting that government institutions act within the law and without political considerations.
The forthcoming governorship election is expected to be closely contested, with both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led in the state by Governor Adeleke, and the APC intensifying campaigns across Osun.
Political observers have noted that developments involving public institutions in the period leading up to the election are likely to attract heightened public scrutiny because of their potential implications for the electoral process.
