The Osun State Government has rejected claims by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging the diversion of ₦11 billion in state funds, describing the investigation and subsequent bank account freeze as a politically motivated action.
In an official statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state administration insisted that no public resources had been misappropriated and characterized the anti-graft agency’s claims as an attempt to justify an illegal action.
Government Counters Corruption Allegations
The state government’s response follows the EFCC’s statement explaining that it placed a “Post No Debit” restriction on Osun State’s accounts to prevent the alleged mismanagement of ecological, intervention, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds.
Rejecting the commission’s position, the state government stated that available resources have been fully allocated toward public infrastructure, developmental projects, and civil service welfare.
“The allegation is a failed attempt to cover up an illegal action through unfounded accusations,” the statement read. “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.”
The administration noted that despite the financial restrictions placed on its accounts, it successfully disbursed economic relief palliatives to state workers to cushion the impact of ongoing economic challenges.
Allegations of Political Interference
The Adeleke-led administration further alleged that the EFCC’s actions were designed to benefit the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the lead-up to the state’s upcoming governorship election.
According to the statement, senior government officials have faced continuous interrogation by the anti-graft agency since March 2026 without any formal evidence of financial misconduct being established.
The government argued that if the EFCC possessed credible evidence of financial mismanagement, it should have pursued standard judicial processes rather than freezing state operational accounts.
EFCC Maintains Position
The confrontation comes shortly after the EFCC publicly defended the account restriction, maintaining that its actions were strictly preventative and aimed at safeguarding public funds rather than influencing state politics.
As public debate over the financial restriction continues, the Osun State Government reiterated its commitment to challenging the account freeze, describing the commission’s explanations as an afterthought that fails to align with legal standards.
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