The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen a bank account belonging to the Osun State government held at First Bank Plc, Osogbo. The account is used for the payment of workers' salaries. The action comes just days before the governorship election scheduled for August 13. Governor Ademola Adeleke raised an alarm hours before the freeze, claiming the EFCC planned to restrict access to state accounts and those of top officials. He described the move as an attempt to disrupt government operations ahead of the election. Adeleke stated there was no legal basis for the action, arguing that the EFCC does not have statutory authority to freeze state government accounts. As of the time of reporting, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the matter. The development has heightened political tension in the state, with the governor's camp viewing it as a targeted intervention. The timing of the freeze, so close to the election, has drawn significant public attention. The account's restriction directly affects the state's ability to disburse salaries. No other state accounts have been confirmed as affected at this time.
The EFCC moved against an Osun State government account used for salary payments just days after the governor publicly warned of such action. This raises questions about the timing and legal basis of the agency's intervention ahead of a critical election. The lack of an official EFCC statement leaves the public without clarity on the justification for the freeze.
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