The EFCC has been directed by President Bola Tinubu to vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts, citing the need to protect public confidence and the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.

ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately seek the discharge of 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.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, authorising the freezing of the state’s accounts.

Tinubu said that while he fully supports the anti-graft agency’s constitutional mandate and respects its operational independence, he was concerned that the timing of the action could create the impression that federal institutions were being used to influence the electoral process.

The President stressed that since assuming office, he has consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to discharge their responsibilities independently, without political interference.

According to him, strong democratic institutions operating within the bounds of the law remain essential to good governance and the rule of law.

Tinubu noted that he had deliberately refrained from interfering in the operations of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because they were established by law with clearly defined powers.

However, he said the circumstances surrounding the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts required presidential intervention in the overriding public interest.

While stating that he had yet to receive a full briefing on the facts that informed the EFCC’s decision to obtain the court order, the President maintained that the timing of the action was inappropriate given the proximity of the Osun governorship election.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu said preserving public confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process made it necessary for him to act.

He consequently directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue the legal action instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the matter.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that anti-corruption efforts are carried out without undermining public confidence in the nation’s electoral process.

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