Adeleke Reacts As EFCC Freezes Osun Government Account 10 Days To Election

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday openly challenged the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, demanding a public explanation over the freezing of the Osun State Government account.

Speaking directly to journalists at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke strongly criticized the development, describing the action as an illegality that undermines the country’s democratic principles.

The governor revealed that the anti-graft agency acted without securing any supporting court order, maintaining that such unconstitutional actions will not be tolerated.

Governor Adeleke directly attributed the crackdown to political interference ahead of the upcoming governorship election:

“All these intimidation and attacks were carried out on the order of Gboyega Oyetola over an election his candidate cannot win”

Detailing how the state learned of the financial restriction, Adeleke stated: “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 the 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.”

Expressing concern over the broader implications for governance in Nigeria, the governor urged the EFCC leadership to provide concrete evidence justifying the decision:“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 froze Osun State Government Account, and show proof to support whatever reason he presents.”

“This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun State are turning our democracy into a huge joke. I have instructed my Attorney General to challenge this illegality at the Federal High Court, Osogbo,”

Addressing questions regarding whether state officials had been subjected to prior investigations, Governor Adeleke clarified that numerous Osun State government officials had already honored EFCC invitations and were cleared prior to the agency’s sudden enforcement of the account freeze.