THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen a FirstBank account operated by Osun State Government less than two weeks to the governorship election, Vanguard reports.
The anti-graft agency is said to have placed the account used for the payment of workers’ salaries on “Post No Debit” status.
A source close to the governor, who did not want to be named for lack of clearance to speak publicly on the matter, said, as quoted by the newspaper, “I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation.”
The EFCC had yet to comment publicly on the development as of the time of publishing this report.
Adeleke had on Tuesday alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state government’s bank accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that such a move will negatively impact the state.
Adeleke, now a member of the Accord Party, is seeking re-election while the All Progressives Congress (APC) looks to retake control of the state.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, quoted the governor as saying, “the state government received credible reports that the anti-graft agency had concluded plans to freeze all Osun State Government accounts”.
The governor further described the alleged plan as “the height of lawlessness”, adding that “any attempt to freeze the state’s accounts would be aimed at paralysing government activities before residents go to the polls on August 15.”
Adeleke said “there is no legal basis or justification for any push to freeze the state government accounts,” adding that “the anti-graft agency has no legal powers to freeze the account of a state government.”
The governor also argued that the act would amount to an abuse of power and could undermine the smooth running of government business during a critical period in the state.
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