Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has instituted a ₦2 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, also names the Attorney General of Osun State and the state’s Accountant General as the second and third plaintiffs. The EFCC, its chairman and First Bank Nigeria Limited are listed as defendants.

Adeleke and the other plaintiffs are challenging the legality of the restriction placed on the account, arguing that the EFCC acted without a valid court order and failed to follow due process.

They are asking the court to determine whether the anti-graft agency and its chairman have the legal authority to freeze, restrict, block or place a “post no debit” order on the state’s statutory account without first obtaining and serving a specific order from a competent court.

The plaintiffs are also contesting the August 5, 2026 letter through which the EFCC directed First Bank to restrict access to the account.

They described the restriction as unconstitutional, unlawful and an abuse of statutory powers, arguing that the action could hamper the Osun State Government’s ability to perform its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs want the court to order First Bank to immediately unfreeze the account and restore the state’s unrestricted access to its funds.

They are also seeking an order permanently restraining the EFCC and its chairman from interfering with the state’s statutory account without complying with due process. First Bank is similarly being asked not to act on any EFCC directive to freeze or restrict the account except as permitted by law.

In addition, the plaintiffs are demanding ₦2 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages, alleging unlawful interference with public funds, as well as the cost of the litigation.

The legal action comes amid an escalating dispute between the Osun State Government and the EFCC over the account.

The anti-graft agency had confirmed freezing the account as part of an investigation into the alleged handling of about ₦11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds.

The EFCC said the restriction was intended to prevent the movement of funds under investigation and was not connected to the forthcoming Osun governorship election.

Adeleke, however, described the freezing of the account as unconstitutional.

Amid the dispute, President Bola Tinubu directed the EFCC to vacate the restriction, expressing concern over the timing of the agency’s action while maintaining that the commission was exercising its mandate under a court order.