Social commentator Isaac Fayose has sharply criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for freezing the Osun State Government's account, accusing the anti-graft agency of political bias and selective enforcement. In a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, Fayose questioned why the EFCC moved against Osun but allegedly failed to take similar action during the Ekiti State governorship election in June.
Fayose's Allegations of Selective Enforcement
Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, expressed disbelief that the EFCC would freeze an entire state account, potentially affecting millions of residents. "How can you freeze a whole state account, putting about four million people into nonsense?" he asked. "Why didn't you freeze Ekiti's account in June? Why did you allow Ekiti to buy votes?"
He accused the EFCC of applying different standards depending on which political party controls a state, claiming that governments aligned with the Federal Government were treated differently. Fayose noted that the freeze came just days before the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15, raising suspicions of political interference.
Link to 2027 General Election
Fayose also connected the controversy to the 2027 general election, alleging that some political actors were already laying the groundwork to influence future elections. "These people will come back if you keep quiet," he warned. "The more you keep quiet, the more they do it." He called on Nigerians to demand the resignation of both the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the EFCC leadership to ensure fair handling of elections and investigations.
Governor Adeleke's Response
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the freezing of the state's account, describing it as illegal. According to the governor, the EFCC carried out the action without first obtaining a court order, which he argued is required under Nigerian law before a government account can be frozen. Adeleke said he had instructed the state's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, to challenge the action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Jimi-Bada maintained that although the EFCC has the legal power to investigate government accounts, it cannot freeze them without judicial approval. The governor's legal challenge underscores the constitutional and procedural concerns raised by the freeze.
EFCC's Justification
The EFCC defended its decision to place a "Post No Debit" restriction on Osun State's account, citing suspicious fund movements linked to an ongoing investigation. In a statement posted on its official X account, the commission explained that it has been investigating the state government since March 2026 over the alleged fraudulent handling of about ₦11 billion in ecology funds, intervention funds, and FAAC-related allocations.
According to the agency, the investigation alone was not enough to justify freezing the account. However, investigators detected suspicious movements of funds from the state's accounts starting from August 2, prompting the restriction. The commission emphasized that the action was necessary to prevent fraudulent transfer of federal allocations.
NBA President's Warning
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Afam Osigwe warned that blocking a state government's access to its funds could cripple governance. He argued that such a move should not be taken without following due legal process. Osigwe's statement highlights the broader implications of the freeze on the functioning of state governments and the rule of law.
The controversy comes just over a week before the August 15 Osun governorship election, where Governor Adeleke is seeking another term under the Accord Party. The timing of the freeze has intensified political tensions, with critics viewing it as an attempt to undermine the electoral process.
