Tinubu Orders EFCC to Vacate Court Order Freezing Osun Government Accounts Ahead Of Governorship Election
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately approach the court to vacate the 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 personally signed on Thursday, the President said although he respects the statutory independence of the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies, the commission's decision to obtain the court order at such a sensitive political period could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
President Tinubu disclosed that the EFCC secured the court order on August 5, 2026, but noted that he had no prior knowledge of the agency's action.
According to him, while every institution of government must be allowed to perform its constitutional responsibilities independently and without political interference, actions taken by federal agencies are often attributed to the President, making it necessary for him to intervene in exceptional circumstances.
"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 said.
Tinubu reiterated that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies, insisting that democratic governance thrives when institutions operate independently within the confines of the law.
He, however, stressed that with the Osun governorship election only days away, no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence or interfere in the electoral process.
"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 added that although he was yet to be fully briefed on the circumstances that informed the EFCC's decision to seek the court order, the overriding public interest required immediate action to safeguard confidence in Nigeria's democratic institutions.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to promptly return to court to vacate the order and discontinue all proceedings instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the account freeze.
The directive, according to the President, is aimed at preserving the integrity, credibility and fairness of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State while reaffirming his administration's commitment to the independence of democratic institutions and the rule of law.
In a statement personally signed on Thursday, the President said although he respects the statutory independence of the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies, the commission's decision to obtain the court order at such a sensitive political period could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
President Tinubu disclosed that the EFCC secured the court order on August 5, 2026, but noted that he had no prior knowledge of the agency's action.
According to him, while every institution of government must be allowed to perform its constitutional responsibilities independently and without political interference, actions taken by federal agencies are often attributed to the President, making it necessary for him to intervene in exceptional circumstances.
"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 said.
Tinubu reiterated that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies, insisting that democratic governance thrives when institutions operate independently within the confines of the law.
He, however, stressed that with the Osun governorship election only days away, no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence or interfere in the electoral process.
"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 added that although he was yet to be fully briefed on the circumstances that informed the EFCC's decision to seek the court order, the overriding public interest required immediate action to safeguard confidence in Nigeria's democratic institutions.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to promptly return to court to vacate the order and discontinue all proceedings instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the account freeze.
The directive, according to the President, is aimed at preserving the integrity, credibility and fairness of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State while reaffirming his administration's commitment to the independence of democratic institutions and the rule of law.
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