•Osun sues EFCC, demands N2bn damages
Divergent views over the EFCC’s decision to freeze the bank accounts of the state government have been expressed by two senior Nigerian lawyers, with one describing the action as unlawful and politically motivated, while the other argued that the timing of the move had raised legitimate public concerns despite possible legal justification.
Francis Amobi Nzelu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), lashed out at the anti-graft agency’s action, insisting that the freezing of a state’s accounts while a court order was still in force was improper.
In the words of the SAN, reports that President Bola Tinubu had directed the immediate unfreezing of the accounts indicate that the Presidency was not involved in the EFCC’s action.
Nzelu said: “The President has reportedly directed that the accounts be reopened. If that is true, then the matter is settled,” he said.
He queried the rationale behind freezing the accounts of a state government responsible for paying workers’ salaries and other statutory obligations, adding that, “What are they investigating? Why should they freeze the account of a state where salaries and allowances are paid? It appears to be politically motivated, particularly at a time that could affect an incoming administration.”
The SAN warned security agencies against actions capable of undermining democratic institutions, stressing that public officials should always remember they would one day be held accountable for their decisions.
On his part, a human rights crusader, Dr Yemi Omodele, acknowledged public concerns over the development but maintained that the EFCC would likely have presented sufficient evidence before obtaining the court order authorising the account freeze.
Dr Omodele maintained that judges…
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Read Full Article by Sunday Ejike and Francis Iwuchukwu at tribuneonlineng.com
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