The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended its decision to place a temporary restriction on one of the Osun State Government’s bank accounts, insisting the action was lawful and did not require a prior court order.

Speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, EFCC Director of Public Affairs Wilson Uwujaren said the commission acted after detecting what it described as suspicious financial transactions on the account over the past week. According to him, the restriction was intended to preserve the account while investigations continue and does not amount to a freeze on all of the state’s finances.

Uwujaren said the EFCC observed significant transfers from the account to several corporate entities, prompting the intervention. He stressed that the state government remains free to operate its other accounts and continue normal government activities, including salary payments.

Defending the legality of the move, Uwujaren cited Section 34 of the EFCC Act and Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2022, arguing that the laws empower the commission to impose a temporary restriction on an account for up to 72 hours before seeking a court order if necessary.

The EFCC had earlier disclosed that it has been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 over the alleged mismanagement of about ₦11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations. It said several state officials, including the Accountant General, have been questioned.

The commission’s position comes after Governor Ademola Adeleke challenged the restriction, describing it as illegal. The state’s Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), argued that while the EFCC has investigative powers, it cannot freeze government accounts without first obtaining a court order and has initiated legal action to contest the move.