President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep embarrassment over the decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to obtain a court order restricting the bank accounts of the Osun State Government just days before the state’s governorship election.
Tinubu said his embarrassment was not over the EFCC’s constitutional and statutory powers, but over the timing of the action, which he warned could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to interfere in the electoral process.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, the President said the EFCC obtained the court order on August 5, 2026, to freeze the accounts of the Osun State Government.
According to him, the timing was particularly troubling because the state is only days away from its governorship election.
Tinubu said every action taken by federal institutions was often attributed to the President, whether or not he had prior knowledge of such decisions.
He therefore expressed concern that the EFCC’s action could fuel suspicions that the Federal Government was using a law enforcement agency to influence the election.
The President maintained that since assuming office, he had consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities independently, without fear, favour or political interference.
He said he had deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because strong institutions were essential to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
However, Tinubu described the timing of the Osun account restriction as inauspicious, insisting that no action should be taken that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He said he was yet to receive a full briefing on the reasons behind the EFCC’s application to the court, but stressed that protecting the integrity and credibility of the election was of overriding importance.
Against this backdrop, the President directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order restricting the Osun State Government’s accounts.
He also ordered the commission to discontinue all legal actions instituted against the state in connection with the matter.
Tinubu said the directive was issued in the public interest and was intended to prevent any action that could cast doubt on the fairness and credibility of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
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