Adeleke also described the alleged move as an emerging threat to the administration’s ability to function ahead of the election.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), of planning to freeze the bank accounts of the state government ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that such a move will negatively impact the state.
He levelled the allegation against the federal government agency on Tuesday via a statement issued in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.
According to the statement, “the state government received credible reports that the anti-graft agency had concluded plans to freeze all Osun State Government accounts”.
Adeleke went on to say the EFCC is also plotting to freeze the accounts of top government functionaries alongside those of the state.
He warned that such a move, if carried out, would disrupt government operations in the days leading up to the governorship election.
The governor further described the alleged plan as “the height of lawlessness. Any attempt to freeze the state’s accounts would be aimed at paralysing government activities before residents go to the polls on August 15.”
He added that “there is no legal basis or justification for any push to freeze the state government accounts. The anti-graft agency has no legal powers to freeze the account of a state government.”
Adeleke also argued that the act would amount to an abuse of power and could undermine the smooth running of government business during a critical period in the state.
