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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Morning recap: NBA faults EFCC over Osun account freeze, Adeyemi rejects Reps quiz, other top stories

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Nigerian Bar Association criticized the EFCC for freezing Osun State's bank account without due legal process, calling the action unconstitutional.
  • The EFCC defended its decision, stating it was necessary to prevent alleged diversion of public funds during an investigation into the handling of approximately 11 billion naira.
  • Meanwhile, a man identified as the purported Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council rejected a closed-door interrogation by the House of Representatives.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for freezing the bank account of Osun State Government. The NBA declared the action unconstitutional, asserting that the anti-graft agency lacks the legal authority to impose such a blanket restriction on a state's finances without following due legal procedures.

The Nigerian Bar Association has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the reported freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank account, saying the anti-graft agency lacks the constitutional power to impose a blanket restriction on a state’s finances without due legal process.

— Nigerian Bar AssociationCommenting on the EFCC's freezing of Osun State's bank account.

The EFCC, however, has defended its move, claiming it was essential to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds. The agency stated that the freeze is part of an ongoing investigation into the management of approximately 11 billion naira in public funds. This justification comes amid a growing row over the EFCC's actions and the state government's response.

In a separate but related development, Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, has refused to appear for a closed-door interrogation by the House of Representatives. Adeyemi insists that any questioning by lawmakers should be conducted publicly, especially given his current custody.

The action was taken to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds while investigations into the handling of about ₦11bn in public funds continue.

— Economic and Financial Crimes CommissionDefending the decision to freeze Osun State Government accounts.

The article also touches upon other news, including the Nigerian Army declaring two senior ISWAP leaders wanted and former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu stating his intention to leave the ruling APC if President Bola Tinubu disrespects Catholic bishops.

He has rejected the House of Representatives’ decision to interrogate him at an undisclosed location while in police custody, insisting that any appearance before lawmakers should be conducted publicly.

— Report on Adeniyi AdeyemiDescribing Adeyemi's stance on the House of Representatives' interrogation.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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