ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a State House statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the anti graft agency had secured a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts. While stressing that the EFCC acted within its statutory powers by obtaining the order, Tinubu expressed reservations over the timing of the move, describing it as capable of creating the impression of political interference.
The President said he had consistently allowed anti corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently without executive interference, maintaining that strong democratic institutions must be free to discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally and without fear or favour.
According to him, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, even when they are carried out without his prior knowledge or approval. He noted that although he was yet to be fully briefed on the circumstances that informed the EFCC’s application for the court order, the proximity of the action to the Osun governorship election made intervention necessary in the overriding public interest.
“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,” the President stated.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all actions instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the matter.
The directive, observers say, is aimed at preserving public confidence in the electoral process and reinforcing the credibility and fairness of the forthcoming governorship poll in Osun State.
