Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has strongly condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for freezing the Osun State Government Account, describing the action as illegal and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke said the state received a letter from its banker conveying the EFCC’s instruction to freeze the account without any court order.
He linked the development to what he described as a series of challenges facing the state, including the paralysis of the local government system, attacks on citizens, and the harassment and arrest of members of the Accord Party.
According to the Governor, several Accord members have been killed, while about 60 others have been arrested and taken to Abuja without charges. He alleged that these actions were ordered by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola over an election that his candidate cannot win.
Governor Adeleke insisted that the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state’s account without a court order amounts to a violation of the constitutional rights of subnational governments. He warned that allowing such actions to go unchallenged would further erode Nigeria’s democracy.
He called on the EFCC Chairman to publicly explain the reason for freezing the account and provide proof to support the action.
The Governor has directed the state’s Attorney General to challenge the freezing of the account at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Despite the development, Adeleke said his campaign would continue as planned.
