President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action as the state prepares for its governorship election.
In a State House statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s action, stressing that although he supports the agency’s independence, actions taken by federal institutions are often perceived as having his approval.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government,” Tinubu said.
“I must state that 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 reiterated his longstanding policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently without political interference.
“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 said.
Tinubu explained that although he had not been fully briefed on the reasons behind the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the timing inappropriate.
“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,” he stated.
The President said he was acting in the overriding public interest to protect confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The directive comes a day after the EFCC secured a court order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds. #Securitynewsalert.com
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