The Osun State Government is preparing to drag the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to court after the anti-graft agency froze several state bank accounts, sparking a high-stakes standoff weeks ahead of the upcoming governorship election.
State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, confirmed on Wednesday that he has received executive authorisation from Governor Ademola Adeleke to challenge the action at the Federal High Court.
The legal battle follows a “post no debit” directive issued by the EFCC to the management of First Bank, where the state’s primary accounts are held. State officials warn that the move risks crippling government operations and harming the welfare of local residents.
“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,” Jimi-Bada stated.
He added that the state will fight the restriction to ensure the anti-graft agency “acts within the ambit of the law.”
The enforcement action comes shortly after Governor Adeleke raised the alarm regarding a coordinated attempt to freeze all public accounts, alongside those belonging to senior government functionaries.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor condemned the actions as the “height of lawlessness,” alleging that the restrictions are a political maneuver designed to paralyse his administration ahead of the 15 August election.
Reinforcing the administration’s stance, Commissioner for Finance Sola Ogungbile strongly denied allegations that public funds were being deployed to finance Adeleke’s re-election campaign.
Ogungbile also disclosed that police operatives had raided First Bank’s main branch in Osogbo, arresting several bank staff members. He urged the EFCC to weigh the severe social and economic impacts of shutting down state finances.