President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take immediate steps to reverse a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns that the timing of the action could undermine confidence in the state’s forthcoming governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he had learnt that the anti-graft agency secured the court order on 5 August 2026. While reaffirming his support for the EFCC’s constitutional mandate, he expressed concern that the decision could be interpreted as federal interference in the electoral process.
Tinubu said he remained committed to protecting the operational independence of the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies, stressing that he had deliberately avoided interfering in their investigations and enforcement activities since assuming office.
He said democratic institutions should be allowed to carry out their responsibilities independently, professionally and in accordance with the law, without political influence.
Despite that position, the President described the timing of the court order as inappropriate, warning that actions taken by federal institutions shortly before a major election could create an impression of bias, regardless of their legal basis.
Although he said he was yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances surrounding the case, the President noted that the public interest required swift action to maintain confidence in the democratic process.
He consequently directed the EFCC to return to court without delay to seek the discharge of the order freezing the state’s accounts and to discontinue all related legal proceedings against the Osun State Government.
According to the President, the directive is aimed at safeguarding the integrity, credibility and fairness of the upcoming governorship election, while ensuring that no action by a federal institution is perceived as compromising the electoral process.
