Tinubu Orders EFCC to Lift Osun Account Freeze Ahead of Governorship Election

President says timing of anti-graft agency’s action risks undermining public confidence in the democratic process

ABUJA

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action just days before the state’s governorship election.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the President said he was not opposed to the EFCC exercising its statutory powers but expressed concern that the commission’s decision could create the impression of federal interference in the electoral process.

Tinubu Distances Himself From Timing of EFCC Action

In a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, Tinubu said he felt “deeply embarrassed” not by the anti-graft agency’s legal mandate but by the timing of its decision to obtain the court order.

According to the President, every action taken by federal institutions is often attributed to him regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of it.”It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.

“I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” Tinubu stated.

President Reaffirms EFCC’s Independence

Tinubu reiterated that since assuming office, he has consistently refrained from interfering in the operational activities of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.

He maintained that strong democratic institutions must be allowed to perform their statutory responsibilities professionally and without political influence.

However, the President said the timing of the EFCC’s action required intervention because of its potential impact on public confidence in the forthcoming governorship election.

Election Days Away

ValidViewNetwork reports that Osun State is scheduled to hold its governorship election on August 15, 2026, barely days after the court ordered the freezing of the state’s accounts as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial infractions.

Although Tinubu said he was yet to receive a comprehensive briefing on the facts behind the investigation, he insisted that no action should create the perception that government institutions were being used to influence an election.

“Nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election,” the President said.

Tinubu Orders Immediate Court Action

The President consequently directed the EFCC to immediately return to court and discontinue the proceedings relating to the account freeze.

According to the statement, the directive was issued in the overriding public interest and to preserve confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process.

“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” Tinubu added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Background

The EFCC had secured a court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government as part of investigations into alleged financial misconduct.

The Osun Government denied allegations involving the alleged misappropriation of ₦11 billion, accusing the commission of attempting to justify actions capable of disrupting governance ahead of the election.The anti-graft agency, however, maintained that its investigation was strictly within its legal mandate and not politically motivated.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the controversy generated widespread reactions from legal experts, political stakeholders and civil society organisations, with many expressing concern over the timing of the account restriction so close to the governorship poll.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not publicly responded to the President’s directive.