Osun counsel says no court order served for account freeze
Counsel to the Osun State Government, Prof. Mubarak Adekilekun (SAN), has stated that neither the state government nor First Bank received a court order regarding the restriction placed on the state’s statutory allocation account. The controversy arose after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) restricted access to the account. Adekilekun emphasized that the law requires a court order to be issued and served before such action can be taken. He also dismissed allegations of money laundering, stating the account only receives allocations from the Federation Account.
What we know
- Prof. Mubarak Adekilekun (SAN) said no court order was served on the Osun State Government or First Bank before the account restriction.
- He explained that the EFCC’s letter to the bank was transmitted to the state government, but no court order was attached.
- Adekilekun argued that the law, specifically Section 7 of the Money Laundering Act, requires a court order before restricting an account.
- Human rights lawyer Femi Falana stated the EFCC can freeze a state account if it obtains a court order within the stipulated period.
- President Bola Tinubu directed the EFCC to approach the court to vacate the order and discontinue the action.
