Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawfully freezing the state’s bank accounts without a court order, describing the action as a dangerous assault on democracy and the constitutional rights of subnational governments.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Adeleke alleged that his administration has been subjected to sustained political intimidation, including the alleged paralysis of the local government system, attacks on residents, and the arrest of members of the Accord Party.
The governor claimed that security agencies had carried out repeated raids and arrests of Accord leaders without warrants, alleging that about 60 party members had been arrested, taken to Abuja and detained without charges.
He further alleged that the actions were orchestrated by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola over an election he claimed “his candidate cannot win.”
Adeleke said the latest development came after the state government received a letter from its bank notifying it of an EFCC directive ordering the freezing of the state’s accounts.
According to him, the anti-graft agency issued the directive without obtaining a court order.
“We are supposed to be in a democracy where the rule of law must always prevail. We will not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of subnational governments,” the governor said.
He described the action as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and called on the EFCC Chairman to publicly explain the reasons for freezing the state’s accounts and provide evidence to justify the decision.
Adeleke maintained that the alleged action, alongside what he described as other “illegalities” against Osun State, was undermining democratic governance.
The governor disclosed that he has directed the state’s Attorney General to challenge the account freeze at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Despite the development, Adeleke said his administration would remain focused on its activities, declaring that it would continue with its political campaign while pursuing legal redress over the matter.
