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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.