Tinubu’s Order Takes Effect as EFCC Unfreezes Osun Government Accounts
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has lifted the restriction placed on the Osun State Government’s bank accounts following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the accounts be unfrozen.
The accounts, held with First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank, were reportedly functioning again as of Friday, according to findings by Saturday PUNCH.
The EFCC had on August 5 imposed a Post No Debit restriction on the accounts, citing an ongoing investigation into the alleged handling of about N11bn in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
The restriction generated controversy, with critics accusing the commission of using the investigation to put political pressure on Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the recently concluded governorship election.
Tinubu subsequently described the EFCC’s action as embarrassing and directed the commission to restore access to the state government’s funds.
Following his declaration as the winner of the election, Adeleke also instructed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, to withdraw the legal action instituted against the EFCC over the account restriction.
Although neither the EFCC nor the Osun State Government had officially issued a detailed statement on the development, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, confirmed that the restriction had been removed.
“The lien has been lifted. EFCC cannot ignore the presidential order. I can confirm to you that it was done immediately,” Ajayi said.
An aide to Adeleke also confirmed that the accounts were now operational, explaining that the development prompted the governor to direct the withdrawal of the suit against the anti-graft agency.
“The accounts are now functional. That was why Mr Governor directed the Attorney-General to withdraw the suit against EFCC,” the aide said.
The EFCC had maintained that its investigation was focused on allegations surrounding the management of the funds and was not connected to political considerations.
