EFCC Freezes Osun State Account Before Election

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State government account held at First Bank, reportedly used for the payment of workers' salaries, just 10 days before the state's gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15. Governor Ademola Adeleke had previously alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze state accounts and those of top officials ahead of the election.

In response to the account freeze, Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, described the action as an attempt to disrupt government operations leading up to the election. Governor Adeleke contended that there is no legal basis for the EFCC's actions, claiming the agency lacks the statutory authority to freeze a state government's accounts.

A source close to the administration confirmed the account's restriction, stating that the governor would address the press to update the public on the situation. As of the report's filing, the EFCC had not issued an official statement regarding the account freeze, and the reasons for the restriction remained unclear.