President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts, saying the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
The President gave the directive in a State House statement issued on Thursday, expressing concern that although the EFCC acted within its statutory mandate by obtaining a court order, the timing of the move was inappropriate, coming just days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Tinubu said he became aware that the anti-graft agency secured the court order on August 5, 2026, to freeze the state’s accounts, noting that while he supports the independence of anti-corruption agencies, the development had placed him in an uncomfortable position.
“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 explained that actions taken by federal institutions are often perceived as having his approval, even when he has no prior knowledge of such decisions.
The President reiterated his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, stressing that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in their operational activities.
According to him, allowing institutions to function independently within the limits of the law is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and upholding the rule of law.
“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 stated.
Tinubu, however, said the proximity of the Osun governorship election made it necessary for him to intervene in the matter to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
He noted that no action should create the impression that any federal institution was being used to influence the outcome of the 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.
The President said his intervention was in the overriding public interest and aimed at safeguarding public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions.
“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 directive comes amid political tension surrounding the EFCC’s investigation into the Osun State Government and the temporary freezing of one of its statutory accounts, a development that has generated widespread reactions ahead of the August 15 governorship election.