The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that it froze one of the state’s bank accounts over the alleged looting of ₦11 billion, insisting that the anti-graft agency’s explanation was false and intended to justify an unlawful action.
The government maintained that the EFCC had no legal basis for the restriction placed on the account, describing the commission’s claims as an afterthought aimed at defending what it called an illegal interference with the state’s finances.
The position of the state government was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.
Government alleges political interference
Alimi alleged that the restriction on the state’s account was politically motivated and carried out on the directive of former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to him, the primary objective of the account restriction was to prevent the payment of palliatives approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration for civil servants to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.
The commissioner described the action as the height of what he termed Oyetola’s anti-workers’ disposition, claiming that despite the restriction, the government successfully paid the approved palliatives after reaching agreements with organised labour.
He insisted that the state government’s commitment to workers’ welfare remained unchanged and that the alleged attempt to frustrate the payments had failed.
Government rejects looting allegation
The commissioner also rejected the EFCC’s allegation that about ₦11 billion belonging to the state had been diverted, maintaining that government funds were being prudently utilised for infrastructure development, workers’ welfare and other public projects.
According to Alimi, there were no public funds available for looting because the state’s limited resources were being invested in developmental programmes designed to improve the lives of residents across Osun State.
He further accused the anti-graft agency of conducting what he described as a politically motivated investigation since March 2026, alleging that several senior government officials had been repeatedly invited and subjected to harassment without any credible evidence of wrongdoing.
Alimi argued that the EFCC’s public statement was merely an attempt to damage the image of the Adeleke administration after criticism greeted the freezing of the state’s account.
Legal action against EFCC
The Osun State Government maintained that if the anti-graft agency possessed credible evidence of financial misconduct, it should prosecute those allegedly responsible instead of freezing government accounts.
Following the restriction, the state government has instituted legal proceedings against the EFCC, asking the court to declare the action unlawful and compel the commission to immediately lift the restriction on the affected account.
The government insisted that the allegations of financial impropriety remained unsubstantiated and expressed confidence that the courts would determine the legality of the commission’s actions. It also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the prudent management of public resources, while assuring residents that government programmes and developmental projects would continue despite the ongoing dispute with the anti-graft agency.