EFCC defends freezing Osun State Government account without court order

Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC's Director of Public Affairs, explained that the commission acted after observing suspicious activities, including heavy fund transfers to corporate entities, on the account over the preceding week. He clarified that the restriction was targeted at only one account, not a wholesale freeze of the state's finances, and was necessary to preserve the funds. Uwujaren cited Section 34 of the EFCC Act and Section 7, Subsection 6 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2022 as the legal basis for the commission's power to place a temporary restriction for up to 72 hours without a court order.

He added that the Osun State Government retains access to other accounts and can continue its functions. This defense comes after Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and his Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, challenged the legality of the freeze, with the Attorney General directed to contest the action in court.