Tinubu Orders EFCC To Lift Court Freeze On Osun Government Accounts
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed 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 ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a statement issued from the State House on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had secured a court order on August 5, 2026, authorising the freezing of the state government’s accounts.
Tinubu said while he respects the constitutional independence of anti-corruption agencies and their authority to carry out investigations without political interference, he was concerned that the action could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
The President explained that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operations of the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies, insisting that democratic institutions must be allowed to function independently, professionally, and within the limits of the law.
According to him, although he had not yet received a full briefing on the circumstances that led the EFCC to seek the court order, the timing of the move was inappropriate, given the proximity of the governorship election.
Tinubu stressed that no action by any federal institution should undermine public confidence in the credibility, fairness, and integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
He therefore directed the EFCC to return to court without delay to vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts and discontinue the legal action in the overriding public interest.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions while ensuring that the activities of federal agencies do not create perceptions of political bias, particularly during elections.
