Osun Govt, EFCC Trade Words Over Frozen Accounts, N11bn Loot Allegation

The Osun State Government has rejected allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that it froze the state’s bank accounts over an alleged N11 billion financial misappropriation, describing the claim as an attempt to justify what it called an unlawful action.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Osogbo, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused the anti-graft agency of using the allegation as a cover for the freezing of the state’s accounts.

Alimi claimed that the accounts were frozen to prevent the payment of palliatives approved for civil servants, alleging that the action was carried out following the directive of former Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“The real reason the commission froze the state account on the order of Gboyega Oyetola was to stop the payment of palliatives which the state government promised the workers some months ago. This account freezing marks the climax of Oyetola’s historic anti-workers’ obsession,” he said.

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The commissioner said despite the development, the state government was able to pay the palliatives to workers after negotiations with labour unions aimed at reducing the impact of economic challenges.

He dismissed claims of financial mismanagement, insisting that the state’s resources were being deployed towards infrastructure development, workers’ welfare and other programmes aimed at improving the lives of residents.

“There is no fund to loot in Osun State as the little resources we have are expended on the many mega projects, workers’ welfare and sectoral developments for the benefit of the masses,” Alimi stated.

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The commissioner further accused the EFCC of conducting a politically motivated investigation since March 2026, alleging that government officials had faced repeated invitations and harassment without evidence of wrongdoing.

“It is sad that a commission will lie to destroy the image of a state to cover up an illegal action that has backfired. This alibi from the commission is an afterthought and it cannot stand the test of truth in reality and court of public opinion,” he added.

The EFCC had earlier announced that it froze the Osun State Government’s accounts as part of an investigation into alleged financial transactions involving about N11 billion.

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The commission said the action was a preventive measure to preserve funds while investigations continued, stressing that it was carried out in line with its statutory responsibilities and not based on political considerations.

Following the freezing of the accounts, the Osun State Government instituted legal action against the EFCC, challenging the move and describing it as an unlawful interference in the state’s financial affairs.

The state government maintained that any allegation of financial wrongdoing should be addressed through established legal procedures, arguing that the anti-graft agency should prosecute individuals found culpable rather than restrict access to government accounts.

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