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Osun govt set to drag EFCC to court over frozen state account days before guber election
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.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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