NBA FAULTS EFCC OVER OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT FREEZE

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA has challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over its reported decision to place a restriction on the Osun State Government’s bank account, insisting that the agency has no constitutional power to take such action without following due legal process.

The EFCC had directed that no withdrawals should be made from the state’s statutory allocation account, explaining that the decision followed the discovery of unusual fund movements and was not influenced by political considerations.

In an interview, NBA President AFAM OSIGWE said imposing a blanket restriction on a state government’s accounts would disrupt governance and constitute an abuse of power.

He argued that although the EFCC could obtain court orders to freeze specific accounts suspected to be connected to fraudulent activities, it lacked the legal authority to freeze all accounts belonging to a state government.

OSIGWE maintained that any decision to freeze the account of an individual or government institution must be supported by sufficient legal grounds and a valid court order.