President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state government’s accounts. While acknowledging the commission’s statutory powers, Tinubu said he was embarrassed by the timing of the move because actions of federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, even when he has no prior knowledge of them.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently, professionally, and without political interference. He said he had deliberately avoided influencing the operations of the EFCC and other investigative agencies, stressing that strong democratic institutions are essential to good governance and the rule of law.
Tinubu, however, noted that although he was yet to receive full details of the circumstances that informed the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, he considered the timing inappropriate given the proximity of the Osun governorship election.
He warned that no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process or undermine public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the election.
The President said that, in the overriding public interest, he had directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue any related action against the Osun State Government.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process while maintaining the independence of institutions established by law.
