Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has moved to end the legal dispute between his administration and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the freezing of the state government’s account.
The governor had previously approached the court to challenge the decision by the anti-corruption agency to restrict access to funds belonging to the Osun State Government shortly before the governorship election.
Adeleke had criticised the action, arguing that the timing of the restriction could interfere with the smooth running of government and describing the development as politically motivated.
The situation later changed after President Tinubu reportedly intervened and instructed the EFCC to remove the restriction placed on the state’s account and halt the associated legal proceedings.
Following his victory in the Osun governorship election, Adeleke disclosed that he had directed the state Attorney General to discontinue the lawsuit against the anti-graft agency.
The governor made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he explained that he no longer considered the matter worth pursuing after the President stepped in.
Adeleke expressed appreciation to Tinubu for intervening and resolving the disagreement, saying he preferred to move beyond the issue rather than continue with the legal confrontation.
He noted that the President had personally contacted him regarding the matter, which influenced his decision to withdraw the case.
The Osun governor also addressed reports that some members of his administration and political associates had been summoned by the EFCC for questioning.
He said he had instructed his legal representatives to accompany and assist anyone invited by the commission, insisting that his administration had nothing to conceal.
According to Adeleke, some of the officials who appeared before the agency were questioned and subsequently allowed to leave after investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing against them.
The governor described the EFCC invitations as unnecessary distractions, particularly because they occurred around the period of the state’s governorship election.
Adeleke also sought to separate President Tinubu from some of the actions allegedly carried out by federal institutions.
He argued that the President could not be expected to have knowledge of every decision made by government agencies because of the enormous responsibilities attached to his office, including international engagements and other national duties.
The governor further alleged that former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, may have been connected to some of the developments because of his political relationship with the President.
Adeleke claimed that his political opponents had repeatedly referred to the President’s name in connection with the EFCC situation.
However, he maintained that he did not believe Tinubu personally authorised the initial freezing of the state government’s account.
According to him, the President’s decision to intervene demonstrated that he was not responsible for the action and was willing to resolve the matter when it was brought to his attention.
Adeleke said he had therefore chosen to put the disagreement behind him and focus on governing Osun State.
He reiterated that his decision to withdraw the case was influenced by the President’s intervention and his desire to avoid prolonging a political and legal dispute.
The governor’s move effectively brings an end to the immediate court battle between the Osun State Government and the EFCC over the controversial account restriction.
