Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the state Attorney-General to challenge in court the freezing of a state government account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The governor gave the directive following the restriction placed on an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank by the anti-graft agency.

Adeleke, while addressing journalists at the Government House, Osogbo, described the action as a breach of the rule of law and demanded an explanation from the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, on the reason behind the decision.

He called on Nigerians and residents of Osun State to pay attention to the development, describing it as a matter of public concern.

“All I ask is for the EFCC chairman to explain to the good people of Osun State and Nigerians in general why he froze the Osun State Government account and provide evidence to support whatever reason he presents.

“This and other actions being taken against Osun State are turning our democracy into a huge joke,” Adeleke said.

The governor added that he had instructed the Attorney-General to file a suit at the Federal High Court in Osogbo to challenge the action.

The EFCC had earlier placed the account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, under a “Post No Debit” restriction.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has alleged that senior professors in Lagos State-owned universities now earn less in monthly remuneration than secondary school principals in the state’s public service.

The union described the situation as a reflection of the declining welfare of academics, while accusing the Lagos State Government of failing to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement, subjecting lecturers to what it called “starvation wages,” increased tax deductions and alleged victimisation of union leaders.

The allegations were made on Wednesday during an emergency joint press conference by ASUU branches in Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), held at the ASUU Secretariat, LASU, Ojo.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Oluwaseun Babalola, appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently implement the 2025 agreement in the state-owned universities.

He said the government’s failure to implement the agreement, eight months after its agreed commencement date of January 1, 2026, had worsened the condition of academic staff.

“We have invited you today to draw the attention of the Lagos State Government, the people of Lagos State, and indeed all Nigerians to the continued failure of the State Government to implement the provisions of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement in its three public universities, despite the mutually agreed commencement date of January 1, 2026,” Babalola said.

To support the union’s claim on salary disparity, Babalola displayed what he described as a payslip of a secondary school principal showing a monthly earning of N799,000, insisting that no professor in LASU currently earns such an amount.

He also criticised increased tax deductions on lecturers despite the non-implementation of the new salary structure.

“Somebody that is already complaining of what he is earning is not enough. You are increasing your deduction,” he said.

Babalola added that associate professors and professors were paying over N120,000 monthly in tax deductions from salaries he described as inadequate.

The union also demanded the unconditional reinstatement of five ASUU-LASU executives dismissed between seven and nine years ago, alleging that they were punished for their union activities.

The affected officials include former Chairman, Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi; Vice Chairman, Dr. Suenu; Secretary, Dr. Tony Dansu; Assistant Secretary, Dr. Oyekan; and Treasurer, Dr. (Mrs.) Sonibare.

Babalola alleged that the affected officials were subjected to disciplinary actions over issues connected to their union activities.

Also speaking, ASUU-LASUED Chairman, Dr. Victor Akinola, said internal mechanisms for addressing grievances within the universities had become ineffective.

He alleged that complaints from unions to governing councils and relevant authorities often received no attention, leaving lecturers without effective channels for redress.

Akinola also alleged that threats from management had created an atmosphere of fear on campuses, discouraging some lecturers from participating in union activities.

The Nigeria Police Force said it will be deploying about 15,000 personnel, including Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives and other specialised units, to guarantee adequate security before, during and after the Osun state gubernatorial election scheduled for the 15th of this month.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Osun State, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, gave made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists and Divisional Police Officers at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo.

He also warned politicians, security personnel and electoral officials against attempts to manipulate the governorship election ,declaring that anyone arrested for serious electoral offences will be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for investigation and prosecution

Describing the poll as a federal electoral assignment, the election security commissioner announced that suspects arrested for electoral offences would be moved out of Osun State to prevent interference with investigations and prosecution.

“This governorship election is a federal election. Anyone arrested for electoral offences will be taken out of Osun State to the Force Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution. There will be no room for interference,” he declared.

He also issued a strong warning to politicians, electoral officials and security personnel against compromising the electoral process, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate vote buying, ballot snatching, violence, voter intimidation or any other form of electoral malpractice.

“I want to warn all political actors, security personnel and even INEC officials not to manipulate the election. Anyone found violating the Electoral Act or attempting to undermine the credibility of the process will be held accountable,” he said.

Etaifo disclosed that he was mandated by the Inspector-General of Police to restore peace and coordinate security operations across Osun State ahead of the election.

According to him, he had already met Governor Ademola Adeleke to brief him on the assignment and reassure the state government of the police’s commitment to a peaceful poll.

“The early deployment of security personnel was intended to boost public confidence and encourage voter turnout by eliminating fear and intimidation.

“We cannot have a hostile atmosphere and expect to conduct a free and fair election. The early arrival of police personnel is to boost the confidence of the people of Osun State and discourage voter apathy,” he stated.

He maintained that the police would remain neutral and professional, promising a level playing field for all political candidates.

“Our duty is to guarantee a level playing field for every political actor. Gone are the days when the police were alleged to be partisan. Every political party must have equal opportunity to campaign and participate in the election without intimidation or harassment,” Etaifo said.

The police chief equally warned officers deployed for election against compromise or collusion with politicians, saying erring personnel would face disciplinary action.

He urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities, assuring that comprehensive security arrangements had been concluded to ensure a peaceful, free and credible governorship election.