President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately vacate the court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government and to discontinue all related proceedings.
The directive follows the EFCC’s action on August 5, 2026, to obtain a court order freezing the state accounts, coming just days to the Osun State gubernatorial election.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently, professionally, and without political interference.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that institutions must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities without fear or favour. I have therefore refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative agency,” the President stated.
He noted that while he respects the EFCC’s mandate and the legal process, the timing of the action was inauspicious and could be misconstrued.
The President expressed concern that actions by federal institutions close to an election could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Nothing ought to be done to give the impression that the EFCC, or indeed any agency of the Federal Government, is being used to interfere with the election,” President Tinubu said.
“While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the EFCC’s application for the order, I am in no doubt that its timing is inauspicious. I am therefore compelled to intervene in the overriding public interest.”
Accordingly, President Tinubu has directed the EFCC to proceed immediately to the court to vacate the order and to discontinue all actions instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard.
The President reiterated his commitment to the rule of law, democratic good governance, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
