As Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State directs the institution of proceedings before the Federal High Court to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s freezing of the State’s bank accounts, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the action of the Anti graft agency, describing it as political terrorism.
The party in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the action is an attempt to undermine the administration ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The party also noted that the move is part of a broader campaign of political intimidation against Osun state government and its supporters, accusing the Federal Government of using public institutions to pursue partisan interests.
According to the statement: “This is not an administrative decision or a legal dispute. It is political terrorism by the Bola Tinubu-led APC government carried out with the instruments of the Nigerian state.”
The party therefore urged security agencies to remain impartial in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities and demanded the immediate restoration of all statutory allocations due to local governments in Osun State and an end to what it described as federal interference in the state’s political affairs.
The Osun State Government had earlier on Wednesday directed the commencement of legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following the freezing of its bank accounts.
Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, who announced on Wednesday disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to institute proceedings before the Federal High Court to challenge the anti-graft agency’s action.
According to Jimi-Bada : “the state government received information that the EFCC had issued a “Post No Debit” directive to First Bank, where several government accounts are maintained, effectively restricting transactions on the accounts.
“Although the EFCC possesses the authority to investigate financial transactions, it does not have the power to freeze a state government’s accounts without first obtaining a court order.
“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without order of court.”
He made it clear that the restriction on the accounts could significantly affect the day-to-day administration of government and the delivery of public services across the state.
“This step will affect government running but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” he noted.
