Account freeze: Adeleke directs Osun Attorney General to withdraw case against EFCC

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has instructed his Attorney-General to dismiss the lawsuit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the freezing of the state's bank account. Adeleke revealed this in an interview with Channels Television, following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

The Osun government had initiated legal proceedings against the EFCC on August 5, marking case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026, in an attempt to revoke the anti-graft agency's directive and secure a N2 billion exemplary damages award. The EFCC had frozen the account as part of an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds by the state government.

President Bola Tinubu later directed the EFCC to lift the freeze order, expressing embarrassment over the situation, as federal agency actions are frequently associated with the presidency, even when the leader is unaware of them. Adeleke confirmed that he had withdrawn the case due to Tinubu's intervention, stating, "I'm putting them behind. What else do I want? I have instructed my attorney general to drop it. Mr. President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?"

Regarding claims that certain aides and officials were questioned by the EFCC, Adeleke assured that his legal team would support them. He also alleged that the EFCC's actions were politically motivated but mentioned that some individuals who complied with the requests were released after questioning. Furthermore, Adeleke suspected that former Osun Governor and Marine and Blue Economy Minister Gboyega Oyetola was behind the EFCC action due to his ties with Tinubu, claiming, "All these things are Oyetola because he is the cousin to the president.

He is dropping the president's name." The governor believed that the president was unaware of some federal agency actions, attributing this to the leader's focus on foreign affairs and duties.