Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, to challenge the EFCC’s restriction on the state’s account.
The account, identified as the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account, was placed under a “Post No Debit” restriction by the anti-graft agency, preventing withdrawals from it.
The development has triggered a dispute between the state government and the EFCC over the legality and circumstances surrounding the restriction.
Adeleke, who spoke to journalists at the Government House in Osogbo, described the EFCC’s action as unlawful and demanded that its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, publicly explain why the account was restricted and provide evidence supporting the decision.
The governor said the restriction was imposed without a court order, arguing that federal agencies must operate within the rule of law and respect the constitutional rights of subnational governments.
“All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and Nigerians in general why he froze the Osun State Government Account, and show proof to support whatever reason he presents,” Adeleke said.
He added that he had directed the Attorney-General to institute proceedings at the Federal High Court in Osogbo to challenge the EFCC’s action.
Jimi-Bada separately confirmed that he had received the governor’s mandate to proceed against the commission, warning that the restriction could affect the running of the state government.
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“EFCC can investigate the accounts, but it can’t freeze the accounts without an order of court,” the Attorney-General said.
The EFCC, however, has since confirmed the restriction and offered a different explanation for the action. According to the commission, the investigation concerns the alleged fraudulent handling of about N11 billion belonging to the Osun State Government.
It said the probe, which began in March 2026, covers alleged diversion and mismanagement of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
The commission said several state officials, including the Accountant-General, had already been questioned as part of the investigation.
The EFCC further said it had not initially intended to freeze the state government’s accounts but was prompted to act after detecting what it described as “precipitate and unwarranted” transfers of large sums from government accounts to several corporate entities beginning on August 2.
It said the Post No Debit restriction was a preventive measure intended to protect public funds while investigations continue.
The commission also rejected suggestions that the action was politically motivated or connected to the forthcoming Osun governorship election, maintaining that it was carrying out its statutory responsibilities and would not allow the existence of an impending election to prevent it from safeguarding public resources.
The latest development leaves the legality of the restriction and the allegations under investigation to be tested through the legal process, with the Osun government preparing to challenge the EFCC’s action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Meanwhile, the EFCC says its investigation is ongoing and insists that the restriction is aimed at preventing further movement of funds allegedly linked to the N11 billion probe, rather than interfering with the electoral process.
