Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking N2 billion in damages over the freezing of the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026, was filed by Governor Adeleke alongside the Attorney General of Osun State and the state’s Accountant General. The EFCC, its Chairman and First Bank of Nigeria Limited are listed as defendants.
In the suit, the plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the EFCC has the legal authority to freeze the state’s statutory allocation account without first obtaining an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Governor Adeleke contended that the commission’s action violated the provisions of the Constitution, the EFCC Establishment Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, arguing that due process was not followed before the account was restricted.
According to the court filings, the plaintiffs questioned the legality of the EFCC’s directive to First Bank to freeze, restrict or place a post-no-debit order on the Osun State Statutory Allocation Account without prior judicial approval.
They further argued that the commission’s directive unlawfully interfered with the constitutional powers and financial autonomy of the Osun State Government, describing the action as a violation of due process.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the freezing of the account is unlawful, unconstitutional and beyond the statutory powers of the EFCC.
They also urged the court to nullify the directive issued to First Bank and compel the bank to immediately lift all restrictions on the account, restoring the state’s access to its statutory allocation.
In addition, Governor Adeleke is asking the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from freezing or interfering with any Osun State Government account without first complying with due legal process.
The suit also seeks N2 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages for the alleged unlawful interference with public funds, as well as the cost of the legal action.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
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