President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately withdraw the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action could undermine public trust in the forthcoming governorship election.
In a statement released by the State House on Thursday, the President said he was concerned that the commission’s decision, taken only days before voters head to the polls, could create the impression that federal institutions were attempting to influence the electoral process.
Tinubu clarified that his concern was not with the EFCC’s constitutional mandate or its legal authority to investigate alleged financial crimes. Instead, he stressed that the timing of the enforcement action was inappropriate given the political atmosphere in Osun State.
According to the President, although the anti-graft agency obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, to freeze the state’s accounts, such a move at a sensitive political period could raise questions about the neutrality of federal institutions.
He explained that, as President, actions taken by federal agencies are often perceived by the public as having his direct approval, regardless of whether he was consulted beforehand.
Tinubu noted that since assuming office, he has deliberately avoided interfering in the operational activities of investigative and law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, because he believes independent institutions are essential for democracy, accountability and the rule of law.
However, he said the current situation required presidential intervention in the interest of protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The President disclosed that he had yet to receive a detailed briefing on the allegations that prompted the EFCC’s investigation but maintained that no action should be taken close to the Osun governorship election that could be interpreted as federal interference.
Consequently, he directed the EFCC to return to court without delay to vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts and discontinue the legal action relating to the matter.
The development follows days of public disagreement between the Osun State Government and the EFCC over the commission’s decision to freeze the state’s accounts as part of an investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
The anti-corruption agency has maintained that it acted within the law, stating that it possesses the legal authority to obtain court approval to temporarily freeze accounts linked to suspected financial crimes while investigations are ongoing.
The EFCC has also insisted that its actions were strictly based on its investigative responsibilities and were not connected to politics or the forthcoming election.
On its part, the Osun State Government rejected claims that about N11 billion was misappropriated. The state administration accused the commission of attempting to justify what it described as an unjustified freezing of government accounts.
With political campaigns intensifying ahead of the Osun governorship election, Tinubu reiterated that safeguarding the credibility, fairness and transparency of the electoral process must remain a priority for all government institutions.
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