Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday raised alarm over what he described as plans by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to freeze the state’s government accounts and those of senior officials just days before the August 15 governorship election.
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In a statement issued in Osogbo by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Kolapo Alimi, the governor said he had received credible reports that the anti-graft agency had concluded arrangements to place restrictions on all Osun State government accounts.
He also alleged that accounts belonging to top government functionaries were targeted.
Adeleke called any such action “the height of lawlessness” and warned that it would paralyse government operations at a critical period.
He maintained that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government and that no justification exists for the reported move.
Hours later, according to Vanguard, EFCC had placed a Post No Debit restriction on one Osun State Government account held at First Bank.
The account is said to be used for the payment of workers’ salaries.
The newspaper said it had seen documents confirming the restriction and quoted a source close to the governor who verified that the account had been frozen.
The source indicated the governor would address the public on the development.
As of Wednesday morning, the EFCC had not issued any official statement confirming, denying, or explaining the reported restriction. The reason for the action, if confirmed, remains unclear.
The development comes against a backdrop of heightened political tension in the state. Earlier this year, the All Progressives Congress campaign structure had called on the EFCC to investigate and freeze accounts allegedly linked to the payment of billions of naira to ghost workers, expressing concern that such funds could be diverted for vote-buying ahead of the election.
The governorship poll is scheduled for August 15. Adeleke, the incumbent, is seeking re-election.
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