ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the state’s attorney-general to withdraw the suit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the state government’s bank account.

Adeleke relayed this in an interview with Channels Television, hours after he was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.

The governor said he decided to withdraw the case following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

“I’m putting them behind. What else do I want? I have instructed my attorney general to drop it. Mr President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?” Adeleke asked.

On allegations that some of his aides and officials were invited for questioning by the EFCC, Adeleke said he had instructed his lawyers to assist them.

All these things is Oyetola because he is the cousin to the president. He is dropping the president’s name,” Adeleke said.

“I know that the president didn’t know about the EFCC one. That is why he had to call me and stop it.”

The Osun government had sued the EFCC over the freezing of its statutory allocation account.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026 and filed at the federal high court in Abuja on August 5, sought to nullify the anti-graft agency’s directive and award N2 billion in exemplary damages against the commission.

The EFCC had said it froze the account as part of an investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of funds by the state government.

Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to immediately vacate the freeze order.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, urging him to use his renewed mandate to promote unity, development and inclusive governance across the state.

Aregbesola, in a statement posted on X following the August 15 governorship election, said the outcome represented the decision of the people and should be respected.

“I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as the Governor of Osun following the governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026,” he said.

“Now that the people of Osun have spoken through the ballot, their decision must be respected.”

Aregbesola, who was also involved in the election as a leading figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said Adeleke’s responsibilities were now greater than those associated with the campaign.

He urged the governor to regard the election outcome as a fresh mandate to unite Osun and govern fairly, regardless of political affiliation.

“The task before the governor is now greater than the contest that has just ended. I urge him to see the outcome as a renewed mandate to unite the state, deepen development and govern with fairness, humility and a strong sense of responsibility to every citizen,” he said.

The former governor also commended Osun voters for their participation and described them as politically sophisticated.

He reserved special praise for members of the ADC, thanking them for remaining committed to the party’s candidate, Najeem Salaam, despite what he described as intense political pressure.

“To the men and women of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun, I say: thank you. I am particularly proud of your steadfastness, courage and commitment throughout this journey,” Aregbesola said.

He also praised Salaam for the manner in which he conducted his campaign and received the election outcome, saying the candidate placed the interest of the state above personal ambition.

Aregbesola said the party’s loss at the polls should not end its commitment to Osun, urging members and supporters to remain united and continue to hold government accountable while offering constructive alternatives.

“Democracy is strengthened when political actors demonstrate the courage to compete vigorously, the humility and maturity to accept the people’s decision and the wisdom to continue contributing to society afterwards,” he said.

He further called on Adeleke to extend “the hand of fellowship” to political groups across the state and make his next term one of reconciliation and broader inclusion.

To ADC members, Aregbesola said the values that brought them together, including good governance, accountability, justice, competence and service, remained worth pursuing beyond the election.

“Political journeys are often longer than individual electoral contests,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

A Nigerian man, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, has appeared before Accra Circuit Court 8 in Ghana over an alleged plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra.

Maazi was arrested on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after Ghanaian police reportedly foiled the alleged robbery operation. Two other suspects were reportedly killed in a shootout with police, while another suspect escaped.

The development comes amid growing questions over the circumstances surrounding the incident, following a denial by GCB Bank that any robbery or attempted robbery took place at its Labone branch.

The Ghana Police Service had said it received intelligence at about 10:45 a.m. on August 13 that a gang was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located in the Labone area.

According to the police, officers deployed to the area spotted suspected members of the gang in vehicles parked near the banks.
Upon sighting the police, one of the vehicles sped off in an attempt to escape,” the police said.

Officers reportedly pursued the vehicle and arrested Maazi, while another occupant escaped.

The police said occupants of a second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at officers, leading to a shootout.

“The police engaged them in a shoot-out resulting in the death of two suspects,” the Service said.

The police said two vehicles were recovered from the suspects, a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17. A blow pistol was also reportedly recovered.

However, GCB Bank subsequently denied that its Labone branch was attacked or targeted in an attempted robbery.

“GCB Bank wishes to clarify that no robbery or attempted robbery took place at our Labone Branch or on the Bank’s premises,” the bank said.

The bank added: “At no point was the branch breached, and no customer, member of staff, funds or property of the Bank was affected.”

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the precise nature of the incident and whether the suspects were actually preparing to rob the banks as alleged by the police.

Further questions emerged after checks revealed that the Toyota Highlander bearing registration number GS 1434 18, which police identified as one of the vehicles recovered from the suspects, had been listed by Ghanaian authorities as having been impounded in 2019.

The apparent reuse of the same registration number has raised questions about the vehicle’s history and the police account of the incident.

The controversy also prompted the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana to intervene. The President of All Nigerian Communities in Ghana was reportedly sent to Ghana Police Headquarters to seek clarification over the circumstances surrounding Maazi’s arrest and the deaths of the two other suspects.

Destiny Austine Omon, media coordinator of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, also questioned aspects of the police account, including the location of the alleged robbery, the weapon reportedly recovered and the vehicles allegedly used by the suspects.

“The environment where the robbery took place is one of the safest environments in Ghana. It is close to 37 Military Base, the Ghanian Presidency, police headquarters and cantonment.

He added: “It does not add up for armed robbers wanting to do that scale of attack to be arrested with only a pistol.”

The Ghana Police Service has maintained that its officers foiled a planned attack on the three banks, while investigations continue to establish the identities and roles of the two deceased suspects, trace the escaped suspect and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery plot.

Sahara Reporters