The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that its bank accounts were frozen over the alleged diversion of N11 billion.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Osogbo, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described the claim as an attempt to justify what he termed an unlawful action by the anti-graft agency.

The government maintained that the EFCC’s explanation was unfounded and merely an effort to cover up what it called the illegal freezing of the state’s accounts.

According to Alimi, the accounts were frozen to prevent the payment of palliatives approved for civil servants, alleging that the action was carried out on the orders of former Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“The real reason the commission froze the state account on the order of Gboyega Oyetola was to stop the payment of palliatives which the state government promised workers months ago. This account freezing marks the climax of Oyetola’s historic anti-workers’ obsession,” Alimi stated.

Despite the restriction, the commissioner noted that the government had successfully paid the palliatives to workers following negotiations with labour unions aimed at cushioning the effects of the current economic hardship.

Alimi rejected the EFCC’s allegation of fund diversion, insisting that the state’s resources are being utilised for infrastructure projects, workers’ welfare, and other developmental programmes.

“There is no fund to loot in Osun State as the little resources we have are expended on mega projects, workers’ welfare and sectoral developments for the benefit of the masses,” he added.

He further accused the EFCC of conducting a politically motivated investigation since March 2026, alleging that senior government officials had been repeatedly invited and harassed without any evidence of wrongdoing.

“It is sad that a commission will lie to destroy the image of a state to cover up an illegal action that has backfired. This alibi from the commission is an afterthought and cannot stand the test of truth in reality and court of public opinion,” Alimi said.

The EFCC had earlier announced that it frozen the Osun State Government’s accounts as a preventive measure while investigating alleged financial transactions involving about N11 billion.

 

The commission maintained that its action was taken to preserve funds pending the conclusion of its 

investigation.

It also denied acting on political instructions, stating that its intervention was in line with its statutory mandate.

Following the development, the Osun State Government has initiated legal proceedings against the EFCC, challenging the freezing of its accounts and seeking judicial relief over what it described as unlawful interference with its finances.

The state government argued that if the commission has credible evidence of financial misconduct, it should prosecute those involved in accordance with due process rather than freezing government accounts. It maintained that the allegations were baseless and aimed at tarnishing the image of the administration.