Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has frozen the bank accounts of the state government and that of all the 21 local government councils in the state.
The action is to prevent any debit transactions from clearing by logging into the online banking platform or mobile banking app, though the accounts can still receive deposits, but withdrawals and transfers are not permitted.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Idris Asiru, gave the indication through a memo addressed to top government officials in Lokoja on Thursday.
According to him, the state and local government accounts have been frozen with effect from Thursday, 23rd November 2023.
”The Executive Governor of Kogi State has directed that no imprest or any form of payment should be made to anyone from government account henceforth.
“All standing orders and instructions are hereby canceled forthwith.
“All Kogi State and Local Government Accounts are hereby FROZEN with effect from today, Thursday 23rd November 2023.
“Accept the assurances of His Excellency Now and always, please,” the memo read.
The memo was addressed to the Director-General, Government House Administration, The Permanent Secretary, (Admin. and Parastatals), Office of the Deputy Governor, The Clerk of the House, Kogi State House of Assembly, The Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Governor’s Office, The Head of Civil Service, Office of the Head of Civil Service, All Honourable Commissioners; All Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments; All Chief Executives of Parastatals/Agencies and The Chief Registrars (Courts).