David Williams
President Bola 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, expressing concern that the action, coming just days before the state’s governorship election, could be perceived as political interference.
In a statement personally issued on Thursday, the President disclosed that he had been informed that the EFCC obtained the court order on August 5, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation involving the Osun State Government.
While acknowledging that the anti-graft agency acted within its legal powers by seeking the court order, Tinubu said the timing of the action was unfortunate and capable of undermining public confidence.
“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.
Tinubu noted that actions taken by federal agencies are often perceived by the public as being directed by the Presidency, even when the President has no prior knowledge or involvement.
He reiterated his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, stressing that since assuming office, he has consistently refrained from interfering in their operations.
“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,” he stated.
The President explained that his intervention was necessary to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process, especially with the Osun governorship election only days away.
According to him, no action should create the impression that any federal institution is being used to influence or interfere with the electoral process.
“While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of the 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 is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene,” he said.
Tinubu added that democratic institutions must not only act lawfully but must also avoid actions capable of eroding public trust in the electoral process.
He therefore directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government.
“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 stated..
