President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing the need to protect public confidence in the state’s forthcoming governorship election.
The directive, announced in a State House statement on Thursday, came barely days before the governorship poll and followed widespread reactions to the anti-graft agency’s decision to obtain a court order freezing the state’s accounts as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial infractions.
While stressing that he was not opposed to the EFCC carrying out its statutory responsibilities, Tinubu said the timing of the action was inappropriate and capable of creating the impression that federal institutions were being used to influence the electoral process.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu noted that actions taken by federal institutions were often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.
He reiterated his long-standing position that anti-corruption agencies should operate independently without political interference, adding that he had deliberately refrained from directing the operational activities of the EFCC since assuming office.
However, the President said the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the situation exceptional and warranted his intervention in the interest of democracy.
“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election,” he stated.
Although he said he was yet to receive a full briefing on the facts behind the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, Tinubu maintained that preserving the integrity and credibility of the electoral process must take precedence.
He consequently directed the commission to immediately discontinue the action against the state government.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” the statement added.
The EFCC had defended the freezing order, insisting it acted within the law while investigating alleged financial misconduct involving the Osun State Government. The commission also maintained that it has powers to place temporary restrictions on accounts linked to suspected financial crimes before obtaining judicial approval for extended freezing orders.
The Osun State Government had rejected allegations of misappropriating N11 billion, accusing the anti-graft agency of attempting to justify its action and insisting it had committed no financial wrongdoing.
The President’s intervention comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the governorship election, with growing scrutiny over actions by federal institutions and their potential impact on the credibility of the electoral process.
