The Osun State administration has rejected accusations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the alleged theft of N11 billion. Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, stated on Thursday that the commission’s claims were fabricated to provide a pretext for the unauthorized freezing of state bank accounts.
According to the state government, the move was orchestrated by Adegboyega Oyetola, the former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. Alimi asserted that the true objective was to block the distribution of palliatives intended for civil servants. Despite this obstruction, the government confirmed that it successfully issued these payments following agreements with labor unions.
Addressing the EFCC’s claims of financial mismanagement, Alimi emphasized that public funds are strictly directed toward infrastructure, worker benefits, and local development. He further characterized the EFCC’s ongoing investigation, which began in March 2026, as a campaign of political harassment lacking any substantive proof of misconduct.
In response to the standoff, the Osun State Government has launched legal action to contest the blockade of its finances. Officials argue that the commission should pursue formal prosecution if it has evidence of crimes, rather than resorting to measures that interfere with state operations and damage public reputation. Conversely, the EFCC maintains that its intervention was a legitimate, non-political procedure designed to secure funds during an active inquiry.
