Fresh controversy has erupted ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election following reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly froze a bank account belonging to the Osun State Government, prompting strong criticism from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which has questioned the legality, timing and possible political implications of the reported action.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights organisation described the reported restriction as a development that raises “grave constitutional, legal and democratic concerns,” particularly because it reportedly occurred less than two weeks before a crucial governorship election.
The organisation maintained that if the account was indeed frozen without a valid court order or any other clear legal authority, such action could amount to an abuse of state power and an infringement on the constitutional autonomy of a federating state.
Timing Raises Fresh Questions
At the heart of HURIWA’s concerns is not only the reported account restriction itself but also its timing.
According to the organisation, any action capable of disrupting the financial operations of a state government in the closing days of an election campaign is likely to fuel public suspicion over whether federal institutions are being deployed in ways that could influence the political environment.
The rights group noted that the account reportedly affected is used for the payment of workers’ salaries and warned that any interruption of essential government services could create avoidable hardship for civil servants while heightening political tension.
“The timing of the reported restriction is bound to provoke legitimate public concern about whether coercive state institutions are being deployed in a manner capable of disrupting governance and undermining confidence in the electoral process,” the statement said.
Rule of Law Under Scrutiny
HURIWA argued that while anti-corruption investigations remain legitimate instruments for promoting accountability, they must always be conducted within constitutional limits and established legal procedures.
The organisation insisted that anti-graft agencies derive their legitimacy not from coercive powers but from strict adherence to due process and the rule of law.
According to the group, the credibility of institutions such as the EFCC depends largely on public confidence that investigations are impartial, transparent and insulated from partisan political interests.
“It is unacceptable that any action by a federal agency should create the impression that governance in a federating state can be crippled on the eve of an election without the highest standards of transparency, legality and accountability,” HURIWA stated.
The organisation warned that public confidence in democratic institutions could be severely undermined if law enforcement actions appear selective, politically timed or lacking in transparency.
Demand for Legal Clarification
HURIWA called on the EFCC to publicly disclose the legal basis for the reported freezing of the state account.
According to the group, Nigerians deserve to know whether the action was backed by a competent court order, the statutory provisions relied upon and the public interest considerations that informed such a consequential decision.
“It is not enough to invoke anti-corruption. The Constitution demands legality, proportionality and accountability,” the organisation said.
The rights group maintained that restrictions on public funds should be subjected to rigorous judicial scrutiny, especially where such measures have the potential to affect governance, salaries and essential public services.
Election Integrity in Focus
Beyond the financial implications, HURIWA warned that developments capable of creating perceptions of institutional bias could damage public trust in the forthcoming governorship election.
The organisation urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society organisations and domestic as well as international election observers to closely monitor events in Osun State.
According to HURIWA, democracy is sustained not merely through elections but through institutions that exercise restraint, respect constitutional boundaries and remain demonstrably independent of partisan political contests.
Warning Against Politicising Anti-Corruption Campaign
The association further cautioned against any perception that anti-corruption agencies are becoming entangled in electoral politics.
It argued that once law enforcement institutions are widely viewed as partisan, both democracy and genuine anti-corruption efforts risk losing public credibility.
“The Constitution does not permit the use of public institutions as instruments of political intimidation,” the statement said.
The group stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, has a stake in ensuring that federal institutions operate professionally and independently.
Appeal to the Presidency
HURIWA also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to constitutional governance by ensuring that all federal agencies act strictly within their statutory mandates and avoid any appearance of political interference in the electoral process.
The organisation urged that if the reported account restriction cannot be justified by due process and clear legal authority, it should be lifted immediately to safeguard democratic stability, constitutional governance and public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not publicly responded to HURIWA’s allegations or confirmed reports of the alleged freezing of the Osun State Government account. The claims remain those of HURIWA and had not been independently verified.
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