Tinubu Directs EFCC to Lift Freeze on Osun Government Accounts

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

The President gave the directive in a State House statement issued on Thursday, saying although he remains committed to the independence of anti-corruption agencies, the freezing of the state’s accounts days before the August 15 governorship poll could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Tinubu disclosed that the EFCC obtained the court order on August 5, 2026, but said he was unaware of the development until it came to his attention.

He explained that while the anti-graft agency has the statutory responsibility to investigate and prosecute corruption cases without interference, every action taken by a federal institution is often perceived as having presidential backing.

“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,” the President said.

According to him, he has consistently allowed the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to operate independently because strong institutions are essential to democracy and the rule of law.

However, he maintained that the timing of the action against the Osun State Government was inappropriate, especially with the governorship election less than two weeks away.

The President stressed that no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the outcome of the election or interfere in the democratic process.

Consequently, Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts and discontinue all related actions against the Osun State Government.

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