President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court to vacate an order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
In a statement issued from the State House on Thursday, the President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s move, stressing that although he supports the commission’s independence and statutory mandate, actions by federal institutions are often perceived by the public as having his approval.
The EFCC had obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts.
Tinubu said he had consistently refrained from interfering in the operations of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies since assuming office, insisting that they must be allowed to function independently, professionally, and without political influence.
“I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law,” he said.
The President noted that while he had not yet been fully briefed on the circumstances that informed the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, he considered the timing of the action inappropriate given the proximity of the Osun governorship election.
According to him, no action should create the impression that the EFCC or any other federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process.
Tinubu said preserving public confidence in the integrity, credibility, and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process was of overriding national interest.
He consequently directed the anti-graft agency to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all actions instituted against the Osun State Government in connection with the matter.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions while ensuring they operate in a manner that upholds the rule of law and protects the integrity of elections.
