A fresh political controversy has erupted in Osun State after the EFCC freezes Osun account in a move linked to an ongoing investigation into the alleged handling of public funds, just days before the state’s governorship election.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) directed a first-generation bank to place a Post No Debit restriction on one of the Osun State Government’s accounts. According to the commission, the directive followed investigations into the alleged management of about ₦11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.
Governor Ademola Adeleke described the account restriction as unconstitutional and politically troubling, insisting that the anti-graft agency acted without sufficient legal justification.
The governor questioned the basis for the decision and instructed the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to immediately challenge the action before the Federal High Court in Osogbo. According to Adeleke, public institutions must not be subjected to arbitrary actions capable of disrupting governance and democratic processes.
Osun State Attorney-General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), argued that the EFCC lacks constitutional authority to freeze a state’s statutory account. He maintained that the affected account contains public funds designated for salaries, pensions, healthcare, education, security and other essential government responsibilities. According to him, any restriction on such funds raises constitutional issues that should only be determined by a competent court.
Responding to criticisms, the EFCC said the restriction became necessary after investigators allegedly discovered significant transfers from the state’s accounts into several corporate entities while investigations were ongoing.
The commission disclosed that its probe into the Osun government began in March 2026 over alleged financial irregularities involving about ₦11 billion. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that investigators observed what they described as suspicious movement of funds beginning on August 2, prompting the commission to halt further transactions.
The agency insisted the action was purely preventive and not connected to the forthcoming governorship election, stressing that safeguarding public funds remains part of its statutory responsibilities. It also disclosed that other state governments are currently under financial scrutiny as part of broader accountability efforts.
The development triggered sharp reactions across the political landscape. The Accord Party accused the EFCC of attempting to influence the governorship election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting the action would be challenged in court.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the restriction as political intimidation, alleging that federal institutions were being deployed to weaken the Osun State Government before the election. The party warned that ordinary citizens could ultimately bear the consequences if public funds meant for salaries and essential services remain inaccessible.
Several legal practitioners also criticised the development while urging strict adherence to due process. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Edun argued that freezing a state’s account could effectively cripple government operations, adding that such action undermines Nigeria’s federal structure.
Lawyer Chukwuma Omezie noted that while the EFCC possesses investigative powers, any restriction on accounts must be backed by valid court orders and exercised transparently to avoid allegations of political interference.
Evans Ufeli described the decision as capable of eroding public confidence, while Abuja lawyer Abdullahi Musa warned that the action could create a dangerous precedent ahead of future elections. Bartholomew Ojonugwa advised the Osun State Government to pursue judicial redress to determine the legality of the commission’s actions.
Meanwhile, the APC in Osun called on both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate what it described as the deployment of state resources for vote-buying.
The party alleged that thousands of residents recently received ₦20,000 payments into their bank accounts as part of an electoral inducement scheme. However, the Osun State Government dismissed the allegation, explaining that the payments formed part of its ongoing palliative programme for civil servants.
Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the administration had consistently provided financial support to workers even before implementing the new minimum wage, insisting the payments were legitimate welfare interventions rather than political inducements.
