Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Federal High Court over the freezing of the state’s statutory allocation account, insisting the anti-graft agency acted without a valid court order.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, disclosed on Wednesday that the governor directed him to institute legal proceedings after the EFCC instructed First Bank Plc to place a Post-No-Debit restriction on the account.
Jimi-Bada argued that although the EFCC has the authority to investigate financial transactions, it cannot lawfully freeze a state government’s account without first obtaining an order from a competent court.
He warned that the restriction could disrupt the smooth running of government but expressed confidence that the court would determine the legality of the commission’s action.
“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 an order of court,” he said.
“This step will affect government running, but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law.”
The legal action followed an EFCC directive dated August 5, 2026, instructing First Bank to impose a Post-No-Debit restriction on the Osun State Government Statutory Allocation Account as part of an ongoing investigation.
The commission said the directive was issued pursuant to Sections 38(1) and (2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, and Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The letter was signed by Adenike S. Babalola on behalf of the Director of Investigation.
The lawsuit came hours after Governor Adeleke alleged that the EFCC planned to freeze the accounts of the state government and some senior officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the action as an attempt to cripple the administration and prevent it from discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
Adeleke also questioned the legal basis for freezing a state government’s account without judicial approval.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police officers visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some members of staff, although no further details were provided.
The state government also denied allegations that Governor Adeleke was using public funds to finance his re-election campaign, insisting that government resources were not being diverted for political purposes.
The dispute has heightened political tensions ahead of the Osun governorship election, with the state government maintaining that the restriction on its allocation account could affect the payment of salaries, fulfilment of financial obligations and the delivery of essential public services.
The Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have consistently denied allegations by opposition figures that federal institutions are being used to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
