Osun funds: CISLAC backs EFCC account restriction

By Innocent Anaba The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, and Transparency International Nigeria have defended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over its decision to restrict accounts belonging to the Osun State Government, saying protection of public funds should take precedence where there are credible concerns over their possible diversion or misuse.

The organisation stressed that allocations and other public funds at the federal, state and local government levels were meant to finance government operations and public services, including education, healthcare, security, infrastructure and the general welfare of citizens.

CISLAC rejected the argument that restricting state government accounts necessarily amounted to paralysing governance, asking whether a temporary restriction to facilitate an investigation was more damaging than the possible disappearance of billions of naira meant for public services.