President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and withdraw the order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing the need to safeguard public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a statement issued by the State House on Thursday, the President said although he respected the EFCC’s constitutional mandate to investigate financial crimes, he was deeply concerned about the timing of the action, which came just days before the Osun governorship poll.
Tinubu clarified that his intervention was not an attempt to obstruct the commission’s anti-corruption responsibilities but a move aimed at preventing any perception that federal institutions were being used to influence the electoral process.
“It has come to my notice that the EFCC obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. I am deeply embarrassed, not by the commission’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the action,” the President said.
The EFCC had secured the court order as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the Osun State Government. The anti-graft agency had maintained that its actions were lawful and within its powers, noting that it could temporarily restrict accounts suspected to be linked to financial crimes before obtaining judicial approval for an extended freeze.
However, Tinubu stressed that actions taken by federal agencies are often perceived as reflecting the position of the Presidency, even when he has no prior knowledge of such decisions.
According to him, since assuming office, he has consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to perform their statutory duties independently without political interference, believing that strong institutions are vital to democratic governance and the rule of law.
Despite this commitment, the President said the circumstances surrounding the Osun account freeze warranted his intervention because of the proximity of the governorship election.
He explained that while he had not been fully briefed on the details that prompted the EFCC to seek the court order, the timing of the move was inappropriate and risked undermining public trust in the electoral process.
Tinubu emphasized that no action should create the impression that any federal institution was being deployed to interfere in the forthcoming election.
Consequently, he directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue the legal action against the Osun State Government in the interest of preserving the credibility, fairness and integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The directive comes amid a public dispute between the Osun State Government and the EFCC over allegations of financial misconduct. While the commission is investigating the alleged misappropriation of N11 billion, the state government has denied any wrongdoing and accused the agency of acting improperly. The EFCC has repeatedly insisted that its investigation is purely professional and not politically motivated.
Tinubu’s intervention is expected to ease tensions as political activities intensify ahead of the Osun governorship election.
