Adeleke Blasts EFCC Over Freeze on Osun Account, Heads to Court for Redress

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawfully freezing the state government’s bank account, describing the move as a dangerous precedent capable of undermining democratic governance.

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke said his administration was informed of the development through a letter from the state’s banker, which conveyed an instruction allegedly issued by the anti-graft agency to place a restriction on the account.

According to the governor, the action was carried out without any court order, raising concerns about compliance with due process and constitutional provisions.

“This morning, we received a letter from our banker forwarding a communication from the EFCC directing the bank to freeze the Osun State Government account,” Adeleke said, insisting that the directive was executed without judicial authorization.

The governor expressed strong reservations over what he described as a disregard for the rule of law, arguing that democratic institutions must operate within established legal frameworks.

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He maintained that his administration would resist any attempt by federal agencies to infringe on the constitutional rights of state governments, warning that such actions could erode public confidence in democratic governance.

Adeleke further described the account freeze as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic system, saying that allowing such practices to continue unchecked could weaken the foundations of the country’s federal structure.

The governor called on EFCC Chairman to publicly clarify the reasons behind the action and provide evidence to justify the commission’s decision.

In response to the development, Adeleke disclosed that he had directed the state Attorney-General to challenge the EFCC’s action before the Federal High Court in Osogbo, with a view to securing legal redress.

The controversy sets the stage for a legal showdown between the Osun State Government and the anti-corruption agency over the scope of its powers and adherence to due process.