By Esther Olaoluwa |
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return to court and seek the immediate lifting of an order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts, days before the state’s governorship election.
The President’s directive followed concerns over the timing of the EFCC’s action, which he said could create an impression that the Federal Government was attempting to interfere with the electoral process.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the EFCC obtained the court order on August 5, 2026.
The President said he was embarrassed by the timing of the action, rather than the EFCC’s exercise of its statutory responsibilities through a court order.
Tinubu Says Agencies Must Work Independently
Tinubu said he had consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies should carry out their duties independently, professionally and without political interference.
He said he had deliberately avoided directing or interfering with the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative or prosecutorial agencies because strong institutions operating within the law are essential to democratic governance.
“I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law,” Tinubu said.
The President said he had not yet been fully briefed on the facts behind the EFCC’s decision to approach the court for the freezing order.
He, however, said the timing was “inauspicious” given the approaching election.
President Raises Concern Over Election Perception
Tinubu said Osun State was only a few days away from its governorship election and that actions by federal institutions should not create the perception that government agencies were being used to influence the poll.
“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.
He said his intervention was based on the need to protect public confidence and preserve the integrity, credibility and fairness of the democratic process.
Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order and discontinue any action it had instituted against the Osun State Government in connection with the matter.
The directive comes as political parties and candidates prepare for the Osun governorship election, with the President stressing the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
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