Osogbo, Osun State — August 5, 2026
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of attempting to restrict the financial operations of the state government without following due legal process, insisting that the anti-graft agency cannot freeze a government account without obtaining a court order.
Governor Adeleke made the statement in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, while reacting to the reported freezing of the state government’s account with First Bank of Nigeria by the EFCC. He questioned the authority behind the action and demanded an explanation from the EFCC Chairman over why the account was restricted.
The governor said the commission’s role is to investigate suspected financial crimes but argued that such investigations must be conducted within the framework of the law. According to him, the EFCC cannot take control of government funds without judicial approval.
“The EFCC can investigate the account, but it cannot freeze the account without a court order,” Adeleke said, maintaining that the action against the state’s account lacked legal justification.
Adeleke further stated that the state government would approach the Federal High Court to challenge the EFCC’s action and seek clarification on whether the commission acted within its statutory powers.
The governor’s reaction came after reports that the EFCC had placed restrictions on Osun government accounts. The development has attracted public attention because it occurred ahead of the state’s governorship election, with Adeleke alleging that any move to disrupt government finances could affect the operations of the administration.
In his statement, Adeleke described the alleged action as unacceptable and argued that government institutions must operate according to constitutional principles. He said public funds belonging to the people of Osun State should not be subjected to restrictions without proper legal procedures.
The EFCC has the responsibility of investigating cases involving alleged financial crimes, including corruption and misuse of public funds. However, the dispute has renewed debate about the extent of the commission’s powers when dealing with bank accounts belonging to public institutions.
Legal observers have noted that the issue is likely to be determined by the courts, which will examine whether the EFCC followed the required procedures before restricting access to the account.
The controversy comes as political tensions increase in Osun State ahead of the scheduled governorship election. Governor Adeleke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the EFCC of actions that could interfere with the smooth running of government, while the commission has maintained that its mandate is to investigate financial matters within the law.
The outcome of the planned court action will determine whether the EFCC acted within its legal authority or whether the state government’s claim that due process was violated will succeed.
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