Tinubu orders EFCC to lift court freeze on Osun govt accounts

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately take steps to vacate a 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 from the State House on Thursday, Tinubu said he became aware that the EFCC had obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts.

The President said while he respected the anti-graft agency’s statutory powers and had consistently refrained from interfering in the operations of law enforcement institutions, he was concerned that the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, even when they are carried out without his prior knowledge.

Tinubu reiterated his commitment to allowing anti-corruption agencies to perform their constitutional responsibilities independently, professionally and without political interference.

However, he noted that Osun State is only days away from its governorship election, stressing that no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the outcome of the poll.

He said that although he was yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances that led the EFCC to seek the court order, the timing of the move was “inauspicious” and warranted presidential intervention.

The President said that in the overriding public interest and to safeguard the credibility, integrity and fairness of the democratic process, he had directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government.

The directive comes just days before voters in Osun State are expected to elect a new governor, with political activities intensifying across the state.