President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately seek the reversal of a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had secured the court order on August 5, 2026. While acknowledging the commission's legal authority to carry out its anti-corruption mandate, Tinubu expressed concern over the timing of the action, noting that it could create the impression of federal interference in the upcoming Osun governorship election.
The President said he has consistently maintained a policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently, without political interference or directives from the Presidency. According to him, strong democratic institutions must be allowed to perform their statutory functions within the law.
Tinubu, however, said he felt compelled to intervene because of the proximity of the Osun governorship election, stressing that no action by any federal institution should undermine public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
Although he said he had not been fully briefed on the circumstances that led the EFCC to obtain the court order, the President maintained that the timing of the action was inappropriate.
He subsequently directed the EFCC to return to court to vacate the order freezing the state's accounts and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government.
The directive, according to the President, is aimed at protecting the integrity of the democratic process and ensuring that no federal agency is perceived as influencing the outcome of the election.
