- Safiu Kehinde
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, has on Wednesday afternoon, confirmed that First Bank of Nigeria, the government’s bankers, have notified the state government of the order of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to freeze its accounts.
Adeleke, in a press briefing held on Wednesday, disclosed being informed of the letter issued to the First Bank manager, ordering the freezing of the account.
NPO earlier Reported that the anti-graft agency had in the correspondence placed a “Post No Debit (PND)” status, preventing withdrawals and other debit transactions from the account.
‘You are all aware of the many challenges Osun people and her government have been facing in the last few months.
‘You know of the deliberate paralysis of the local government system, the open gun attacks on Osun people and the daily harassment and arrests of Accord members.
‘You are aware of constant police raids and arrest of Accord leaders for no reason and without any warrant of arrest. Several Accord members have been killed and 60 accord members have been arrested and taken to Abuja and detained without any charges.’ He said.
Adeleke accused his predecessor and leader of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the attacks and intimidation.
On the frozen account, the Osun governor held that the action was taken without any court order.
‘All these intimidation and attacks were carried out on the order of Gboyega Oyetola over an election his candidate cannot win.
‘As if all these were not enough, this morning, we received a letter from our banker, forwarding a letter from the EFCC, instructing the bank to freeze Osun State Government Account.
‘This action was taken without any court order. We are supposed to be in a democracy, where the Rule of Law must always prevail.’ He said.
Adeleke rejected the EFCC’s action, labelling it a threat to democracy.
He demanded explanation from the commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, over the reason behind the freezing of the account.
‘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.
‘If we all keep quiet and allow this illegality, very soon, whatever is left of our democracy will be fully eroded.
‘All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and to Nigerians in general, why he froze Osun State Government Account, and show proof to support whatever reason, he presents.’ The governor said.
Adeleke further stated that he has instructed his Attorney-General to challenge the development in court,
He however noted that the EFCC’s freezing of the state government’s account does not hinder his re-election campaign which he confirmed to be ongoing.
‘This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun state is turning our democracy into a huge joke.
‘I have instructed my Attorney General to challenge this illegality at the Federal High Court Osogbo. As for me, we are pushing ahead with our campaign.’ He said.