EFCC freezes Osun State account, state files lawsuit

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the statutory bank account of the Osun State government, citing legal authority to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds ahead of the state's upcoming governorship election. The action, taken this week, has prompted the state government to file a lawsuit challenging the order and seeking two billion naira in damages.

Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC's director of public affairs, defended the move in a televised interview on August 6. He stated that the agency's Establishment Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 empower it to place a temporary 72-hour restriction on any account suspected of involvement in unlawful activity. Uwujaren emphasized that the freeze does not prevent the state from funding its operations, as it retains access to other accounts. He said the agency would seek a court order to extend the restriction if deemed necessary after the initial period.

The EFCC official linked the action to a pattern of post-election complaints about empty state treasuries from incoming administrations. He cited a precedent from the 2024 Edo State governorship election, where he claimed a...