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By Gloria Ikibah

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of abusing its statutory powers by freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts barely days before the governorship election of the state, alleging that the action amounts to political interference aimed at undermining the democratic process.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman Media and Publicity Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the campaign council described the development as an unprecedented misuse of authority capable of disrupting governance and denying residents access to essential public services.

Salam argued that the timing of the action, coming about 10 days before the governorship election in which the incumbent governor is seeking re-election, raises serious concerns over the motive behind the decision.

He said: “The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of going outside its mandate by interfering in the upcoming governorship election in Osun State, describing the freezing of Osun State Government account a few days to the election as a brazen abuse of authority and attack on the people.

“It is quite ludicrous that a body set up to fight infractions in the society is invariably enabling it. Nothing, other than politics can accurately explain the reprehensible action of the EFCC to freeze the account of Osun State Government just 10 days to election which the incumbent is a candidate.”

The council contended that the freezing of the state’s accounts had effectively crippled the government’s ability to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

According to Salam, the action could affect the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, execution of infrastructure projects, security operations and other essential public services.

“By implication, the EFCC as a body set up by law is frustrating a sub-national government from carrying out its lawful duties of payment of salary and allowances, pensions, fixing infrastructure, addressing security challenges and carrying out other duties which the Nigerian Constitution has entrusted unto the state”, he added.

The council further alleged that the anti-graft agency’s decision amounted to an assault on democratic governance and the rights of the people of Osun State.

“The EFCC has in other words executed a coup against the democratic expression of over five million citizens of a supposedly democratic country.

“In plain sight, what the EFCC has done is to recklessly weaponise its authority to exert economic pressure on Osun people in the bid to coerce them into schemed political choice”, Salam stated.

Salam also warned that the development could disrupt critical public services, including healthcare programmes, insisting that public institutions should never be used as political tools.

“With the politically motivated action of the EFCC, many essential services, including planning for some public health interventions, can no longer go on.

“This is very unfair to Osun people because we believe that public institutions should never become a political weapon against ordinary citizens”, he expressed worries.

While reiterating the council’s support for transparency and accountability in public office, Salam maintained that the anti-corruption campaign must not be used as a cover for political persecution.

The campaign organisation urged the commission to immediately reverse its decision and allow the state government to continue its operations without hindrance.

“As much as we are not opposed to accountability in governance, we state our total rejection to political witch-hunting disguised as corruption fight.

“The EFCC approach, timing and the follow-up posture all have politics written over it, and we want to call on the anti-graft body to immediately stop further attempts to interfere with the will of Osun people.

“We maintain that Osun people have every rights to democratic choices via the poll and as such, will not accept the subtle attempt by the EFCC to subdue their wills through abuse of authority.

“We therefore call on the EFCC to immediately unfreeze the account so that governance can continue and the people can get the services they deserved”, he said.

The EFCC had not issued a response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

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The Osun State Government has vowed it will head to the Federal High Court to challenge the decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze one of its statutory allocation accounts, describing the action as unlawful and capable of disrupting government activities barely 10 days before the August 15 governorship election.

The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to institute legal action against the anti-graft agency following the freezing of the state’s account.

According to Jimi-Bada, a “Post-No-Debit” directive issued by the EFCC was forwarded to the management of First Bank, where the Osun State Government maintains the affected account.

The Attorney General maintained that while the EFCC has the authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot lawfully freeze a state government’s account without first obtaining an order of a competent court.

“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without order of court.

“This step will affect government running but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” Jimi-Bada said.

He warned that the restriction could hamper the day-to-day running of government but insisted the state would pursue legal remedies to ensure what it described as due process is followed.

The commissioner also rejected suggestions that Governor Adeleke was deploying state funds for his re-election campaign, maintaining that government resources were not being used for political purposes.

Backing the Attorney General’s position, the Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives stormed the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of the bank’s staff, although no further details were immediately provided regarding the alleged arrests.

The development followed the EFCC’s directive to First Bank Plc to place a Post-No-Debit restriction on the Osun State Government Statutory Allocation Account, effectively freezing the account ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to an official EFCC letter dated August 5, 2026, and addressed to the Managing Director of First Bank in Abuja, with attention to the Chief Compliance Officer, the affected account was identified as the “Osun State Government Statutory Allocation Acct.” with account number 2017170947.

The letter, referenced CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/PFS/TA/OSUN/VOL.17/666, stated that the action formed part of the commission’s ongoing investigation.

The commission stated: “Refer to our letter CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/PFS/TA/OSUN/VOL.17/165 dated 15th April, 2026 on the above subject.”

It further directed the bank that, “In furtherance to the above, you are kindly requested to place a Post-No-Debit on the account.”

The EFCC explained that its request was made under the provisions of Section 38 (1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, as well as Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The letter was signed by Adenike S. Babalola for the Director of Investigation.

It also carried the classification notice: “This document is CLASSIFIED. Unauthorised disclosure could lead to prosecution under the Official Secrets Act, 1962.”

The legal action announced by the Osun government came only hours after Governor Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts ahead of the governorship election.

In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the governor also alleged that the anti-graft agency intended to freeze the personal accounts of top government officials.

According to the statement, “Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has raised an alarm over credible reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to freeze all Osun State government accounts.”

The statement further said, “The governor said the EFCC is also reportedly planning to freeze accounts of all top government functionaries.”

Adeleke argued that any such action would cripple governance and prevent the administration from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

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

The governor also questioned the legal authority of the EFCC to freeze the accounts of a state government.

The Bola Tinubu administration has previously faced accusations from critics of attempting to influence the outcome of the Osun governorship election, including allegations of deploying state institutions to favour the All Progressives Congress, claims the Federal Government has consistently denied.

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Confusion and grief has engulfed Ideani community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State after the bodies of three children were discovered inside the residence of a female native doctor.

The victims, believed to be between six and 15 years old, were found in the suspect’s home located in Umuoduba village on Wednesday, sparking outrage and anxiety among residents.

Community sources said a fourth person was rescued alive from the premises and rushed to a hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased children were evacuated to a mortuary.

Although the identities of the victims had yet to be established as of the time of filing this report, residents said they were either children working for the woman, who reportedly keeps pigs and poultry, or members of her household.

The female native doctor, popularly known in the area as an Ezenwanyi, has been taken into police custody at the Ogidi Police Division as investigators begin efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or reveal the suspect’s identity at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, a video circulating on social media showed police officers inspecting the compound shortly after the discovery, while the suspect was escorted away by security operatives for further investigation.

Authorities are expected to carry out forensic and medical examinations as investigations continue to determine the cause of death and establish the identities of the victims.