The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reportedly placed an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank on a "Post No Debit" restriction, just 10 days before the state's August 15 governorship election.
Documents seen by Vanguard indicate the account, reportedly used to pay workers' salaries, was frozen by the anti-graft agency.
The reason for the restriction was not immediately disclosed.
The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC planned to freeze the state's accounts and those of top government officials in what he described as an attempt to disrupt government operations ahead of the election.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the reported move was aimed at crippling the activities of the state government before the poll.
"There is no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government," Adeleke said, arguing that the EFCC lacks the statutory authority to take such action against a state government.
A source close to the administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the account had been restricted.
"I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation," the source said.
As of the time of publication, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the reported account restriction, and the agency had not publicly stated the reason for the action.
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