President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately unfreeze the bank accounts of the Osun State Government by returning to court to vacate the freezing order, saying the action could affect public confidence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s decision to obtain a court order freezing the state’s accounts. He, however, maintained that he was not questioning the anti-graft agency’s legal powers or independence.
“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 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,” Tinubu said.
The President explained that actions taken by federal agencies are often linked to the Presidency, even when he is not informed before such decisions are made.
Tinubu said he has consistently allowed the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties without political interference since taking 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,” he said.
The President added that while he supports the independence of anti-corruption agencies, the situation in Osun required his intervention because the state is preparing for its governorship election.
While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene,” he stated.
Tinubu said no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the outcome of the Osun 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 Nigeria’s democratic process is the reason for his decision.
Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democratic process,” he added.
Tinubu then directed the EFCC to return to court and withdraw the freezing order against the Osun 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 president said.
The directive follows widespread reactions to the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts, with opposition parties, lawyers and civil society organisations expressing concern that the move could affect governance and raise questions about political interference ahead of the governorship election.
Cc; Nigerian Tribune