President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the accounts of Osun Government, citing concerns about the timing of the action ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a statement personally issued on Thursday in Abuja, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had obtained a court order on August 5 freezing the state government’s accounts.
Tinubu said that while he respected the commission’s statutory powers and its decision to act through a court order, he was deeply concerned about the timing of the move.
The President noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to him, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them, and reiterated his longstanding commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently 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,” he said.
Tinubu emphasized that he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operations of the EFCC and other investigative bodies, describing strong and independent institutions as essential pillars of democratic governance and the rule of law.
“As president, I am committed to allowing institutions of state to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval,” he stated.
However, the President disclosed that he had not yet received a full briefing on the circumstances that led the EFCC to seek the court order against the Osun State Government.
“I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore, I feel compelled to intervene,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that with Osun State only days away from its governorship election, it was critical to avoid any action that could fuel perceptions of federal interference in the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
He added that maintaining public confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of the democratic process must remain a top priority.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law and the independence of public institutions, while underscoring the need to preserve trust in the electoral process.
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