President Bola Tinubu
By Victory Oghene
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s account, saying the action could undermine public confidence ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, whereby Tinubu expressed concern over the timing of the anti-graft agency’s action, despite acknowledging its constitutional mandate to investigate alleged financial crimes.
According to the President, although the EFCC acted on a court order obtained as part of its investigation into alleged financial infractions involving the Osun State Government, the decision to enforce the restriction so close to the August 15 governorship election was ill-timed.
Tinubu said he had consistently maintained a policy of non-interference in the operations of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, insisting that such institutions must be allowed to discharge their duties independently and professionally.
He, however, noted that the current situation required presidential intervention because actions taken by federal agencies are often perceived as reflecting the position of the Presidency.
The President stressed that nothing should be done to create the impression that any federal institution was being used to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
Read statement below:
STATE HOUSE STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS EFCC TO VACATE THE COURT ORDER FREEZING OSUN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT
It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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. This is so because every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action.
Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference. 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.
As President, I am committed to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers. While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene.
Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, 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.
Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our 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.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU(GCFR)
ASO ROCK VILLA,
ABUJA
6th AUGUST, 2026
