Osun rejects EFCC’s N11bn claim, says account freeze targeted workers’ palliatives

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State Government has dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) allegation that it froze the state’s account over the alleged diversion of N11 billion, describing the claim as an attempt to justify what it called an illegal action.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that the account was frozen to prevent the payment of palliatives approved for workers.

“The real reason the commission froze the state account on the order of Gboyega Oyetola was to stop the payment of palliatives which the state government promised workers some months ago,” the statement read.

The government, however, said it had already paid the palliatives after negotiations with labour unions, adding that the intervention was part of measures to cushion the effects of the current economic situation.

It also denied allegations of diverting ecological and other public funds, insisting that available resources had been spent on infrastructure projects, workers’ welfare and other development programmes.

The government further alleged that the EFCC had been investigating its officials since March 2026 without finding evidence of wrongdoing, claiming the exercise was intended to distract the administration.

It maintained that Osun had received recognition for budget and audit transparency and insisted there was no basis for the allegations of financial misconduct.

The government added that even where allegations of financial misconduct exist, due process and established legal procedures should be followed rather than freezing the accounts of a state government.