BREAKING: Tinubu Orders EFCC To Vacate Court Order Freezing Osun Govt Accounts
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the forthcoming governorship election.
The President gave the directive in a State House statement issued from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu said although the EFCC acted within its statutory powers by obtaining the court order on August 5, he was concerned that the timing of the action could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to interfere in the electoral process.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. 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,” the President said.
He noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, stressing that he had consistently resisted interfering in their operations.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu added that he had deliberately refrained from directing or influencing the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative agency because strong democratic institutions are vital to good governance and the rule of law.
While noting that he was yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances that informed the EFCC’s application for the order, the President maintained that the timing was inappropriate, particularly as Osun State prepares for its governorship election.
“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 said.
According to the President, preserving public confidence in the country’s democratic process made it necessary for him to intervene.
“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,” Tinubu declared.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions while ensuring that their actions do not compromise the credibility, integrity and fairness of Nigeria’s electoral process.
