President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate the court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
The President gave the directive in a statement issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026, expressing concern over the timing of the EFCC’s action, coming just days before the Osun State governorship election.
Tinubu said he was embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate, which he noted was backed by a court order, but by the timing of the development and the possible perception that the action could be politically motivated.
According to the President, since assuming office, he has consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to operate independently and professionally without fear, favour or political interference.
He said he had deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because strong democratic institutions were essential to good governance and the rule of law.
However, Tinubu said the proximity of the Osun governorship election compelled him to intervene in order to protect public confidence and the credibility of the democratic process.
“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,” the President stated.
Tinubu added that although he was yet to be fully briefed on the facts that informed the EFCC’s decision to approach the court, he considered the timing of the action “inauspicious.”
He consequently directed the anti-graft agency to return to court, withdraw the order freezing the Osun State Government account, and discontinue any action it had instituted against the state government in that regard.
The EFCC had obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing Osun State Government accounts as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the state.
