President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to begin immediate steps to lift the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing the need to safeguard the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
According to a statement, the President said he only became aware of the court order reportedly secured by the EFCC on August 5, 2026, and expressed concern over the timing of the action.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption agencies, stressing that his administration has consistently allowed the EFCC and other law enforcement bodies to carry out their constitutional duties without political interference or presidential directives.
He explained that although federal agencies are empowered by law to perform their responsibilities independently, the freezing of Osun State’s accounts so close to the governorship election could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the electoral process.
The President noted that he had not received a full briefing on the circumstances surrounding the court order but insisted that preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions must remain a priority.
To protect the integrity, fairness, and credibility of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Tinubu directed the EFCC to return to court and seek the immediate vacation of the order freezing the state’s accounts, while also discontinuing all related legal proceedings.
He maintained that no action by any federal institution should undermine public trust in the electoral process or raise doubts about the neutrality of government agencies.
