The League of Patriotic Lawyers has confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operated fully within its statutory bounds by freezing the Osun State Ecological Fund account amidst concerns over the potential diversion of more than N11 billion.
The public declaration was made during a media briefing held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the International Press Centre in Abuja. Addressing newsmen, the Chairman of the League, Abubakar Yesufu, explained that the anti-graft agency possesses the legal backing to execute preventive measures when public assets are at risk of being mismanaged.
According to the group’s legal analysis, the commission’s actions are anchored on Section 34 of the EFCC Act alongside Section 7 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. These laws permit the commission to enforce a 72-hour Post No Debit (PND) order on accounts under scrutiny while securing an extension from a competent court of jurisdiction.
To validate the position, the legal body highlighted a 2019 legal contest involving the EFCC and the Benue State Government. While the Federal High Court in Lokoja under Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon had previously fined the agency N50 million and challenged its authority to issue PND orders, the decision was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal, confirming the agency’s power to temporarily freeze accounts to protect state assets.
The legal association noted that intervention in Osun State was necessary to prevent ecological allocation funds from being redirected toward political activities.
Furthermore, the leadership commended the leadership of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, acknowledging recent statements from EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale regarding active investigations involving more than 18 state governors. The League urged the agency to remain resolute and apply financial accountability standards uniformly across all regions of the country.
