Emmanuel Obi
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawfully directing the freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank account, describing the action as unconstitutional and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Adeleke said the state government received a letter from its bank notifying it of an EFCC directive to freeze the account. According to the governor, the action was taken without a court order.
He called on the EFCC Chairman to publicly explain the reasons for the directive and provide evidence to justify the decision, insisting that federal agencies must operate within the law and respect the constitutional rights of state governments.
The governor also alleged that the account freeze was part of a wider pattern of political intimidation against his administration. He claimed that the local government system in the state had been deliberately disrupted and accused security agencies of targeting members of the Accord political movement through arrests, raids and detention.
Adeleke further alleged that several members of the group had been killed, while about 60 others were arrested and transferred to Abuja without being formally charged. He blamed the actions on former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, alleging they were politically motivated.
The governor said he had directed the Osun State Attorney General to challenge the EFCC’s action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Despite the development, Adeleke maintained that his political activities would continue, saying his campaign would proceed as planned.
