EFCC Reveals Power to Temporarily Freeze Accounts Without Court Order

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under scrutiny for its recent decision to restrict an account belonging to the Osun State Government. However, the commission's Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, has defended the move, stating that it was necessary to prevent suspicious activities on the account. According to Uwujaren, the EFCC observed a high volume of transfers from the account to various corporate entities within a short period, prompting it to take action. The commission's primary concern is to preserve the account and prevent potential looting of funds. Uwujaren emphasized that the restriction is limited to a single account and does not affect the state government's access to other accounts. He also noted that the EFCC has the power to place a temporary restriction on an account under the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2022. This power allows the commission to freeze an account for up to 72 hours without a court order, after which it would need to obtain a court order to continue the restriction. The Osun State Government has challenged the EFCC's decision, with Governor Ademola Adeleke's Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), arguing that the commission lacks the power to freeze government accounts without a court order. The EFCC's actions have sparked a debate about the commission's authority and the limits of its power. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the EFCC's decision will be upheld or challenged in court.