ELECTION CONTROVERSY: TINUBU ORDERS EFCC TO UNFREEZE OSUN STATE ACCOUNTS

ELECTION CONTROVERSY: TINUBU ORDERS EFCC TO UNFREEZE OSUN STATE ACCOUNTS

By Olufemi Odeyemi 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately approach the court to vacate an order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.

The directive follows a court order secured by the anti-graft agency on August 5, 2026, targeting the state’s financial accounts just days ahead of the upcoming Osun State gubernatorial election.

In an official State House statement released from the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday, August 6, President Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the timing of the EFCC’s action, warning that it risks undermining public confidence in the nation's democratic process.

"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. "Every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action."

While reiterating his administration's commitment to institutional independence and non-interference in statutory law enforcement operations, President Tinubu emphasized that the proximity of the state election necessitated executive intervention.

"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 declared.

The President noted that while he had not been fully briefed on the specific facts that prompted the EFCC to seek the freezing order, preserving the integrity, credibility, and fairness of the electoral process remained the overriding public interest.

Following the directive, the EFCC is expected to file an application in court to lift the restriction on the state’s accounts and discontinue the current legal action in relation to the frozen funds.