Adeleke sues EFCC for N2bn over freezing of Osun allocation account

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has filed a N2 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Also listed as plaintiffs in the case are the Attorney General of Osun State and the state’s Accountant General, while the EFCC, its Chairman and First Bank of Nigeria Limited are named as defendants.

In the suit, Adeleke asked the court to determine whether the EFCC had the legal authority to freeze the state’s allocation account without first obtaining an order from a court.

The governor argued that the commission’s action violated the Constitution, the EFCC Establishment Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, insisting that due process was not followed before the account was frozen.

According to the court documents, the plaintiffs questioned whether the EFCC has the lawful authority to freeze, restrict or place a post-no-debit order on the Osun State Statutory Allocation Account without first obtaining a valid order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

They further argued that the directive sent by the EFCC to First Bank to freeze the account amounted to an unlawful suppression of the constitutional powers and functions of the Osun State Government, a violation of due process and a threat to the financial autonomy of the state.

The Osun State Government urged the court to declare the freezing of the account unlawful, unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the EFCC.

The plaintiffs also asked the court to set aside the directive that froze the account and order First Bank to immediately remove all restrictions, allowing the state unrestricted access to its statutory allocation.

In addition, Adeleke sought a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from freezing or interfering with any Osun State Government account without following due legal process.

The governor is also asking the court to award N2 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages for what he described as unlawful interference with public funds, as well as the cost of the legal action.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.