…asks anti-graft agency’s boss to explain rationale for action
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday challenged the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to explain the reason behind his order for the freezing of bank accounts of the Osun State Government.
Adeleke, who addressed newsmen at the Osun State Government House, described the EFCC’s move as an illegality that is turning the country’s democracy into a huge joke.
Stressing that the EFCC’s action was taken without any court order, the Governor declared that the action of the anti-graft agency will not stand.
Adeleke said, “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 the 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.
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.
“This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun State are turning our democracy into a huge joke. I have instructed my Attorney General to challenge this illegality at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.”
Responding to questions from journalists on whether the anti-graft agency had, before freezing state accounts, invited officials of the state government for questioning, Adeleke said many government officials had been invited by the EFCC and cleared before the commission eventually froze the government’s accounts.
