President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing a bank account of the Osun State Government, describing the timing of the action as embarrassing and capable of undermining confidence in the country’s democratic process.
The directive follows the EFCC’s decision to obtain a court order on August 5 freezing the state’s accounts, just days before the Osun governorship election.
In a statement he personally signed and issued on Thursday, Tinubu said although he remained committed to the independence of anti-corruption agencies, the timing of the commission’s action could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the election.
The President said he was not embarrassed by the EFCC carrying out its statutory responsibilities but by the timing of the move, noting that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, even when he has no prior knowledge of them.
Tinubu reiterated that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operations of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, insisting that they must be allowed to perform their constitutional duties independently, professionally and without political interference.
He explained that although he had not been fully briefed on the reasons behind the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the action inappropriate.
According to him, no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the outcome of the election.
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To protect the credibility and integrity of the electoral process, the President directed the EFCC to return to court and withdraw the order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts, as well as discontinue all related actions against the state.
Tinubu said the directive was issued in the overriding public interest and to preserve public confidence in the fairness of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
EFCC Reacts
The EFCC has however rejected allegations that its action was politically motivated, urging Nigerians to disregard what it described as false narratives aimed at discrediting its work.
According to the commission, investigations into the Osun State Government began in March 2026, with several officials, including the state’s Accountant General, already questioned.
The anti-graft agency said the action was part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of about N11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.
The development sparked criticism from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who challenged EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to publicly justify the freezing of the state’s accounts.
Adeleke described the action as unlawful and directed the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), to challenge it before the Federal High Court.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.