Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday condemned the freezing of the Osun State Government account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, describing the action as illegal and a threat to democracy.
Addressing journalists in a press conference, Governor Adeleke said the state received a letter from its banker on Wednesday morning forwarding an EFCC directive to freeze the state’s account. He stated that the directive was issued without a court order.
“We are supposed to be in a democracy, where the Rule of Law must always prevail,” Adeleke said. “We will therefore, not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of subnational governments. This is a threat to our democracy.”
The governor linked the development to what he described as a pattern of political intimidation in the state in recent months. He alleged that there has been a “deliberate paralysis of the local government system,” as well as “open gun attacks on Osun people” and the “daily harassment and arrests of Accord members.”
According to Adeleke, several Accord party members have been killed, while 60 others were arrested and taken to Abuja and detained without charges. He also cited “constant police raids and arrest of Accord leaders for no reason and without any warrant of arrest.”
He accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of ordering the attacks “over an election his candidate cannot win.”
Adeleke called on the EFCC chairman to publicly explain the reason for freezing the account and to provide proof to support it.
“This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun state is turning our democracy into a huge joke,” he said. “If we all keep quiet and allow this illegality, very soon, whatever is left of our democracy will be fully eroded.”
The governor said he has instructed the State Attorney General to challenge the freezing of the account at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
He added that despite the development, his administration would continue with its campaign activities.
The EFCC had not issued a public response to the allegations as of press time
