Tinubu Orders EFCC To Unfreeze Osun Government Account Ahead Of Governorship Election

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank account.

The anti-graft agency had on Wednesday secured a court order to freeze the state’s account domiciled with First Bank, just 10 days before the Osun State governorship election.

The action sparked widespread criticism from Nigerians, particularly opposition party members, who alleged that federal institutions were being used to undermine Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign.

In a statement titled, “President Tinubu Directs EFCC To Vacate The Court Order Freezing Osun Government Account,” issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s action.

Tinubu clarified that his concern was not with the commission’s legal mandate or its court-backed action, but with the perception created by the timing of the move.

He said, “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.

“Every action taken by an institution of state, especially at the federal level, is always credited to me as President, even when I may not have had prior knowledge of the action.”

The President reiterated his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, stressing that he has consistently refrained from interfering in their operations since assuming office.

“Since assuming office, I have 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 firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to good governance and the rule of law,” he said.

Tinubu added that state institutions should be allowed to perform their lawful duties without requiring presidential approval, noting that their powers are clearly defined by law.

He, however, directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all actions instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the matter.