The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, ten days to governorship election, according to documents seen by Vanguard.

The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.

The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.

A source close to the governor, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed to Vanguard that the account had already been frozen.

“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source said.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the development. The reason for the account restriction was also not immediately known

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, ten days to governorship election, according to documents seen by Vanguard.

The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.

The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.

A source close to the governor, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed to Vanguard that the account had already been frozen.

“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source said.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the development. The reason for the account restriction was also not immediately known.

Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has disclosed that Birnin Gwari did not benefit from even one kilometre of road project in the last 20 years until the present administration came into office about three years ago.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the 122-kilometre Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road project on Tuesday, in fulfilment of his campaign promise as the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) over three years ago.

Represented by Governor Uba Sani, he recalled that on the 22nd December , 2022, Tinubu came to Kaduna during the campaign and visited Birnin Gwari in defiance to security advice.

He said that at that time, Birnin Gwari was the epicentre of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, but Tinubu had argued that ‘’as someone who was aspiring to be president of Nigeria, he must visit Birnin Gwari.’’

According to the Governor, the then ‘’GOC of One Mechnised Division, the late General Lagbaja, gave us 21 Armoured Vehicles with military personnel, to Birnin Gwari.’’

‘’We left Kaduna at about 4pm, we arrived Birnin Gwari after four and half hours because the road was bad and we got there around 8:30pm. At the Emir’s palace, His Royal Highness graciously honoured the presidential candidate with a traditional title.

Governor Uba Sani disclosed that Asiwaju had ‘’promised that he will reconstruct the road from Mando in Kaduna, to Birnin Gwari. He also promised that he will do everything to ensure that security and normalcy return to Birnin Gwari.’’

‘’Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled all the two promises he made to the people of Birnin Gwari. I’m happy that we are here for the ground breaking of this very important road,’’ he added.

The Governor further said that the road is very critical because it connects the whole North West to the South west, cutting across five states up to Lagos, adding that N178 billion has been approved for the project.

Describing the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi as a go-getter and a detribalised Nigerian, he disclosed that they worked together to ensure that the money was approved for the project.

Governor Sani expressed gratitude to the president that people can now travel from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari and within the town, without a police escort.

‘’Today, Kaduna State Government is constructing 36 kilometres of asphaltic roads, cutting across 72 farming communities in Birnin Gwari local government area,’’ he added.

The Governor pointed out that the flag off of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and the various road projects within Birnin Gwari local government, represent the dividends of peace.

According to him, President Tinubu has a special love for Kaduna State that is why, ‘’on the 8th of July, he approved $865 million for the construction of the Light Rail project in Kaduna metropolis.’’

‘’The Western bye-pass project is ongoing, from Abuja junction down to Kawo motor park. This project is being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Works under the able leadership of the President.

‘’We are also talking about resuming the construction of the Eastern bye-pass, which is very critical to our people. I have no doubt that project will be resumed, according my conversation with the Minister, in a few month’s time.

‘’We are grateful to Mr President. We will continue to support him and I have no doubt in my mind that the 2027 election has been concluded. We are giving Mr President, at least 95% of our votes,’’ he added.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had described President Tinubu as ‘’a promise keeper, a man that rewards loyalty. He is a man that is fair to every section of the country.’’

The Minister said that he is not surprised at Governor Uba Sani’s developmental strides in Kaduna State because he is ‘’a man who fought along side with our president during the days of NADECO, who was unjustly put in cell.’’

‘’You understand the meaning of democracy . You understand the meaning of welfare to the people. You have united the entire Kaduna people. You are delivering a lot of infrastructure for the people,’’ he added.

Senator Umahi recalled that when he last visited Kaduna State on a site inspection tour, ‘’I said that you are magical like your father, the president. I commended you very highly and I thanked you for uniting the entire Kaduna people.’’