President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s account, saying the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the build-up to the August 15 governorship election.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, where the President acknowledged the EFCC’s constitutional responsibility to investigate financial crimes but expressed concern that enforcing the order so close to the election could create the wrong impression.
Tinubu Defends EFCC Independence
The President reiterated his long-standing position that anti-corruption agencies should operate independently without political interference, stressing that he has deliberately avoided influencing the operational decisions of the EFCC since assuming office.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” Tinubu said.
He added that institutions established by law should be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without seeking presidential approval.
Why the President Intervened
Despite defending the EFCC’s independence, Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he felt compelled to intervene because actions taken by federal institutions are often perceived as reflecting the position of the Presidency.
According to him, while he had yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances surrounding the investigation into the Osun State Government, the timing of the account freeze was inappropriate.
“I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” he stated.
The President further warned that nothing should be done to create the impression that any federal institution was being used to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.
“I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene.”
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Order to Return to Court
To address the situation, Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to immediately return to court and seek the withdrawal of the order freezing the Osun State Government’s account.
The President said safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process remained a priority and that public confidence in the electoral process should not be compromised.
EFCC Maintains Investigation Is Lawful
Before the President’s directive, the EFCC had defended its action, insisting that it was investigating the alleged diversion of about ₦11 billion in public funds by the Osun State Government.
The commission maintained that the restriction was backed by a valid court order obtained on August 5, 2026, and argued that it has the legal authority to place temporary restrictions on suspicious accounts while pursuing investigations.
Political Tension Ahead of Poll
The account freeze has sparked intense political debate in Osun State, with the state government, legal practitioners and political stakeholders expressing divergent views on the development ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
While supporters of the state government described the restriction as capable of disrupting government operations and raising concerns about the credibility of the electoral process, the EFCC has maintained that its actions are guided by law and are part of its statutory anti-corruption mandate.
