Gov Adeleke Fumes, Asks Justice Commissioner To File Lawsuit As EFCC Directs First Bank To Freeze Osun Govt’s Account

With the gubernatorial election in the state just ten days away, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered immediate frozen of the bank account of Osun State government in First Bank Plc.

The anti-graft agency had on Wednesday directed the First Bank Plc to place a ‘Post-No-Debit’ restriction on the Osun State Government Statutory Allocation Account.

In a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the governor had on Tuesday night raised the alarm over credible reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had concluded plans to freeze all Osun State government accounts.

The governor, who said such a plan, if true, amounts to the height of lawlessness, added that the plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyze government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The governor added that there is no legal basis or justification for any push to freeze the state government’s bank accounts, declaring that the anti-graft agency has no legal powers to freeze the account of any state government.

Confirming that the bank account has been frozen during the press conference he presided over in Osogbo on Wednesday, , Governor Ademola Adeleke said he has instructed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwole Jimi-Bada to file a lawsuit against the anti-graft agency at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

‘You are all aware of the many challenges Osun people and her government have been facing in the last few months. You know of the deliberate paralysis of the local government system, the open gun attacks on Osun people and the daily harassment and arrests of Accord members.

You are aware of constant police raids and arrest of Accord leaders for no reason and without any warrant of arrest. Several Accord members have been killed and 60 accord members have been arrested and taken to Abuja and detained without any charges’ he said..

The governor added that the decision to freeze the bank account was taken without the required court order.

‘As if all these were not enough, this morning, we received a letter from our banker, forwarding a letter from the EFCC, instructing the bank to freeze Osun State Government Account. This action was taken without any court order.

We are supposed to be in a democracy, where the Rule of Law must always prevail. We will therefore, not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of subnational governments. This is a threat to our democracy. If we all keep quiet and allow this illegality, very soon, whatever is left of our democracy will be fully eroded.

All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and to Nigerians  in general, why he took the decision to freeze Osun State Government Account, and show proof to support whatever reason, he presents.

This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun State is turning our democracy into a huge joke.

I have instructed my Attorney General to challenge this illegality at the Federal High Court Osogbo’ he said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you