Counsel to the Osun State Government, Prof. Mubarak Adekilekun (SAN), has stated that no court order was served on the state government or First Bank before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission restricted access to the state’s statutory allocation account.

Speaking on national television, Adekilekun said the law requires a court order to be issued and served, particularly on the bank, before such a restriction can be imposed. He noted that the EFCC’s letter to the bank was forwarded to the state government, but the bank confirmed that no court order was attached.

The Senior Advocate acknowledged that the EFCC has powers to act on suspected financial offences but insisted those powers must be exercised in line with the Money Laundering Act. According to him, the relevant section of the law clearly requires a court order.

Adekilekun dismissed allegations of money laundering, explaining that the account only receives allocations from the Federation Account. He argued that the restriction was imposed without following the proper legal procedure.

The comments came amid ongoing controversy over the account freeze, which President Bola Tinubu later directed the EFCC to reverse. Adekilekun said any further legal action by the state would depend on the decision of the Osun State Government.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper