Gov Adeleke Alleges EFCC Plot to Freeze Osun Govt’s Accounts Ahead of Guber Poll

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the accounts of the state government and top government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke, in a statement signed by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi and released on Tuesday in Osogbo, said he had received what he described as credible reports that the anti-graft agency had concluded plans to freeze all Osun State government accounts.

The governor also alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the accounts of top government functionaries in the state.

He warned that such an action, if carried out, would amount to “the height of lawlessness” and could paralyse government activities ahead of the governorship election.

According to Adeleke, the alleged plan was intended to disrupt the functioning of the state government and create difficulties ahead of the August 15 poll.

The governor maintained that there was no legal basis or justification for any attempt to freeze the accounts of the Osun State government.

He further argued that the EFCC lacked the legal powers to freeze the account of a state government, urging relevant authorities and members of the public to take note of the alleged development.

However, the anti-graft agency has yet to issue any public statement reacting to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the allegation is coming a day after the governor appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over alleged killings, intimidation and illegal detention of residents in the state ahead of the governorship election. 

Tribune Online reports that the governor, who spoke at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, warned that the people of the state would resist any attempt to rig the election, urging the President to prevent a repeat of the electoral violence witnessed in the old Western Region.

The governor said, “Osun is bleeding,” alleging that some residents had been killed while others were being intimidated or detained illegally.

“Mr President, something is happening in Osun State that you need to know. Our people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding APC thugs to kill our people,” Adeleke alleged.