President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the 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 by the Presidency on Thursday, Tinubu said while he supports the anti-graft agency’s statutory powers and operational independence, the decision to freeze the accounts just days before the election could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
The EFCC had secured a court order on August 5, 2026, as part of an investigation into alleged financial infractions involving the Osun State Government. The commission maintained that its actions were lawful and not politically motivated, noting that it has the authority to place temporary restrictions on accounts suspected to be linked to financial crimes.
Reacting to the development, Tinubu said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the move rather than the commission’s exercise of its legal mandate.
The President reiterated his long-standing position that anti-corruption agencies should operate independently and without political interference, adding that he had deliberately avoided influencing the operational decisions of investigative institutions since assuming office.
However, he noted that the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the situation exceptional, stressing that no action by any federal institution should create the impression that government agencies are being used to influence the electoral process.
Tinubu said preserving public trust in the integrity, credibility and fairness of elections remains a critical responsibility of government.
Consequently, he directed the EFCC to immediately discontinue the action against the state government and take the necessary legal steps to vacate the court order.
The directive comes amid an ongoing dispute between the Osun State Government and the anti-graft agency over allegations of financial misconduct involving about N11 billion. While the state government has denied any wrongdoing, the EFCC insists its investigation is based solely on its anti-corruption mandate.
With the Osun governorship election drawing closer, the development has intensified public scrutiny of actions by government institutions and their potential impact on the political process.
