The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, has been sued by the Osun State Government after its bank accounts were frozen.
The EFCC action is illegal and has the potential to interfere with government operations, according to the Osun State Government.
On Wednesday, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke had instructed him to file a case in the Federal High Court to contest the anti-graft agency’s action.
Jimi-Bada disclosed that “the state government received information that the EFCC had issued a “Post No Debit” directive to First Bank, where several government accounts are maintained, effectively restricting transactions on the accounts”.
He maintained that “although the EFCC possesses the authority to investigate financial transactions, it does not have the power to freeze a state government’s accounts without first obtaining a court order”.
“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.”
In response, Sola Ogungbile, the Commissioner for Finance, claimed that police officers had visited First Bank’s main Osogbo branch and detained bank employees.
Ogungbile further denied claims that Governor Adeleke’s reelection campaign was funded by state resources, maintaining that public monies were not being used for political purposes.
He said, “The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyse government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.”
I personally feel that what the EFCC did is wrong. The Osun State government has not left office, yet they have been subjected to account freezes and investigations. Why rush to probe them now? If there has been any wrongdoing, shouldn’t they wait until the government officials leave office before conducting such investigations? Premature actions like this undermine fairness and due process.
