Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, on Wednesday, said he had received the mandate of Governor Ademola Adeleke to institute legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the freezing of the state government’s accounts.

Jimi-Bada disclosed that the EFCC issued a “Post No Debit” instruction to First Bank, where the Osun State Government’s accounts are domiciled, restricting withdrawals from the accounts.

The commissioner, who expressed readiness to challenge the EFCC’s action in court, said the restriction could disrupt government operations. He added that Governor Ademola Adeleke was not using state funds to finance his re-election campaign.

“I have the mandate of the governor to proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge this move. EFCC can investigate the accounts but it can’t freeze the accounts without order of court.

“This step will affect government running but we will challenge the move and ensure that the agency acts within the ambit of the law,” Jimi-Bada said.

Corroborating the Attorney General’s position, Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, alleged that police operatives had invaded the main branch of First Bank in Osogbo and arrested some officials of the bank.

He also maintained that Governor Adeleke was not using state funds to finance his campaign, urging the anti-graft agency to consider the impact of its action on the overall well-being of Osun residents.

Earlier, Governor Adeleke had raised concerns over an alleged move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to freeze all accounts belonging to the Osun State Government.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Wednesday, the governor alleged that the anti-graft agency also planned to freeze the accounts of top government officials.

Adeleke described the reported action as “the height of lawlessness,” alleging that the move was intended to paralyse government operations ahead of the August 15 governorship election.