Tinubu Orders EFCC to Unfreeze Osun Govt Accounts

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and seek the withdrawal of the order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank accounts.

The President’s directive followed widespread reactions to the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state’s accounts just days before the Osun State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he was concerned about the timing of the action, noting that decisions taken by federal agencies are often attributed to him even when he has no prior knowledge of them.

According to the statement, the President said he was not questioning the EFCC’s legal authority to carry out its anti-corruption responsibilities or obtain a court order, but believed the timing of the action was inappropriate.

Tinubu said that since assuming office, he has consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to perform their constitutional duties independently without political interference.

He explained that he has deliberately avoided directing or influencing the operations of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because independent institutions are vital to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

The President added that although he had not yet received a full briefing on the circumstances that led to the freezing order, the proximity of the governorship election made the action inappropriate.

He warned that no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence or interfere with the electoral process.

Tinubu said his decision to intervene was taken in the public interest to protect confidence in the credibility, fairness and integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

He therefore directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all actions relating to the restriction placed on the Osun State Government’s accounts.

The development comes amid growing political tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with the President stressing that federal institutions must avoid actions capable of raising doubts about the transparency of the electoral process.