By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately approach the court to vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing the need to preserve public confidence and protect the integrity, credibility, and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement issued from the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, President Tinubu said he became aware that the EFCC obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
The President clarified that his concern was not with the EFCC exercising its statutory mandate through a court process, but with the timing of the action, which he described as inappropriate given the circumstances surrounding the state.
Tinubu noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the President, even when he may not have had prior knowledge of such decisions.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed, not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” the President stated.
The President reiterated his commitment to allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies operate independently, professionally, and within the confines of the law, stressing that strong institutions are essential to democratic governance and the rule of law.
According to him, he has deliberately avoided interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because institutions established by law must be allowed to perform their responsibilities without fear or favour.
While acknowledging that he was yet to be fully briefed on the facts that informed the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, Tinubu said the timing of the action compelled him to intervene in the interest of the nation.
“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.
The President stressed that the directive was issued to ensure that public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions remains intact and that no action by any government agency creates doubts about the fairness of the electoral process.
He therefore directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order and discontinue any action it had instituted against the Osun State Government in connection with the matter.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the rule of law, and ensuring that government agencies operate in a manner that upholds public confidence.
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