Osun Demands ₦2Billion Over EFCC Account Freeze

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has filed a ₦2 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged unlawful freezing of its Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

Adeleke, alongside the state’s Attorney General and Accountant General, instituted the suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The EFCC, its Chairman and First Bank Nigeria Limited are listed as defendants.

The plaintiffs argued that the EFCC lacked the legal authority to freeze or restrict access to the state’s statutory allocation account without first obtaining a valid court order, describing the action as unconstitutional and a violation of due process.

Osun Demands ₦2Billion Over EFCC Account Freeze Credit: Channels TV

They asked the court to declare the account restriction unlawful, null and void, and to compel First Bank to immediately remove all restrictions on the account.

The suit also seeks perpetual injunctions restraining the EFCC from freezing any Osun State account without following due legal process and preventing the bank from acting on similar directives issued without a court order.

In addition, the plaintiffs are demanding ₦2 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages for the alleged unlawful interference with public funds.

No hearing date has been fixed for the case. The suit follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the EFCC to seek a court order to unfreeze the account.

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Toyibat Ajose

Toyibat is a highly motivated Mass Communication major and results-oriented professional with a robust foundation in media, education, and communication. Leveraging years of hands-on experience in journalism, she has honed her ability to craft compelling narratives, conduct thorough research, and deliver accurate and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences.