President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action with the state’s governorship election just days away.
The directive was contained in a statement personally issued by the President on Thursday, following reports that the anti-graft agency secured a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts as part of an ongoing investigation.
Tinubu said although the EFCC acted within its statutory powers by obtaining a court order, he was deeply concerned that the timing of the move could create the impression of political interference 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 agencies are often perceived by the public as having the backing of 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 has consistently refrained from interfering in the operations of the EFCC and other investigative bodies 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 added that he believes strong democratic institutions should operate within the confines of the law and free from undue influence.
However, he said that while he was yet to receive the full facts surrounding the EFCC’s decision to seek the freezing order, the timing of the action warranted his intervention.
“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.”
The President observed that with the Osun governorship election only days away, federal institutions must avoid actions capable of creating the perception of influencing the electoral process.
“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 maintaining public confidence in the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process was paramount.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to take immediate legal steps to reverse the action.
“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.
