By Abigail David

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it froze the bank accounts of the Osun State Government to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds, stressing that the action was based on an ongoing investigation and not the forthcoming August 15 governorship election.

In a statement shared on its official X account, the anti-graft agency said it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 over the alleged handling of about N11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

The EFCC said several state officials, including the Accountant General, had been questioned as part of the investigation. It added that while the probe alone did not warrant freezing the accounts, it detected what it described as suspicious transfers of funds beginning on August 2.

According to the commission, large sums were allegedly moved from government accounts into several corporate accounts, prompting it to place a Post No Debit order to prevent further transactions.

The EFCC maintained that it has a legal responsibility to safeguard public funds and said it could not ignore suspicious financial activities because of the impending governorship election. It also stated that other state governments are under financial scrutiny as part of its broader accountability efforts.

The commission urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as false narratives about the account freeze, insisting its actions were non-partisan and aimed at protecting public resources.

The statement followed criticism from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who described the account freeze as illegal and challenged EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to publicly justify the decision. Adeleke also directed the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), to challenge the action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, arguing that the EFCC requires a court order before freezing government accounts.

By Abigail David

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has responded to comments by Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over the upcoming Osun State governorship election, saying the singer should direct his appeal to Osun voters rather than him.

Davido had urged an unnamed Imo politician during a press conference on Wednesday to allow a free and fair election in Osun, citing reports of alleged plans to interfere with the August 15 governorship poll. Although he did not mention Uzodimma by name, he called for peace and urged that voters be allowed to choose their preferred candidate.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, Uzodimma dismissed the appeal and predicted that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke would lose his re-election bid.

The governor claimed that many voters were dissatisfied with the current administration and would support the APC candidate in the election.

Uzodimma also advised Davido to focus on preparing his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for life after office instead of making public appeals. He added that the singer might have to “sign his uncle as a dancer” after the election, expressing confidence that the electorate would vote for a change in leadership.

The exchange comes ahead of the August 15 governorship election, where Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking a second term in office.

By Abigail David

The Osun State Government says it will challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court after alleging that the anti-graft agency froze the state’s bank accounts.

The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, said on Wednesday that Governor Ademola Adeleke had directed him to file a suit at the Federal High Court over the development.

According to Jimi-Bada, the EFCC issued a “Post No Debit” directive to First Bank, where the state’s accounts are domiciled. He argued that while the commission has the power to investigate financial records, freezing government accounts requires a court order.

He said the action could disrupt government operations but expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through the courts. Jimi-Bada also maintained that state funds were not being used to finance Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign.

The Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, also alleged that police officers visited the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some bank employees. He urged the EFCC to consider the potential impact of the account restrictions on governance and residents.

Earlier on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election. He described the reported move as unlawful and claimed it was intended to disrupt government activities before the poll.

The EFCC had not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of this report.