Tinubu orders EFCC to vacate court order freezing Osun government accounts ahead of governorship election
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate 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 State House statement, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had obtained the court order on 5th August 2026. While affirming the Commission's constitutional mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption, Tinubu expressed concern that the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
The President stated that since assuming office, he has consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally and without political interference. He noted that he had deliberately refrained from influencing the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies, believing that strong and independent institutions are essential to democratic governance and the rule of law.
Tinubu, however, said that although he had not been fully briefed on the circumstances that informed the EFCC's application for the court order, the timing of the action was inappropriate, especially as Osun State is only days away from its governorship election.
He stressed that no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence or interfere with the electoral process.
Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all related actions instituted against the Osun State Government in the matter.
Tinubu said the directive was issued in the overriding public interest to preserve public confidence and uphold the integrity, credibility and fairness of Nigeria's democratic process.
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