The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly placed one of the Osun State Government’s bank accounts under restriction, less than two weeks before the state’s governorship election.

Documents obtained by Vanguard indicate that the affected account, domiciled with First Bank, has been placed on “Post No Debit” status, preventing withdrawals or other debit transactions.

Sources familiar with the development said the restricted account is reportedly used by the state government for the payment of workers’ salaries.

The reported Osun account freeze came only hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze state government accounts as well as those of senior government officials. In a statement issued through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the anticipated action as an attempt to disrupt government operations just days before the August 15 governorship election.

Governor Adeleke argued that there was no lawful justification for freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, maintaining that the EFCC does not possess the statutory authority to impose such restrictions on state government accounts.

A source close to the governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the restriction had already taken effect. According to the source, the account has been frozen and the governor is expected to brief the public on the matter.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not released an official statement explaining the reported Osun account freeze. The anti-graft agency has also not disclosed the reason for placing the account under a “Post No Debit” restriction, leaving the circumstances surrounding the action unclear.