President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately seek the withdrawal of a court order freezing an account belonging to the Osun State Government.
In a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was deeply concerned by the timing of the anti-graft agency’s action, stressing that although he respects the EFCC’s independence, the development could create the impression of political interference ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Tinubu clarified that his concern was not with the commission’s constitutional mandate but with the timing of the decision.
According to him, every action taken by a federal institution is often attributed to the President, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of it.
“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,” he said.
The President reiterated that since assuming office in May 2023, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operations of anti-corruption agencies, insisting that institutions such as the EFCC must be allowed to carry out their responsibilities independently and professionally.
He, however, said the proximity of the Osun governorship election made it necessary to intervene.
“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 any other federal agency is being used to interfere with the election,” Tinubu stated.
The controversy followed allegations by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke that the EFCC froze one of the state’s bank accounts, which is used to pay workers’ salaries, by placing it on a Post No Debit restriction.
The governor also claimed the commission was preparing to freeze the accounts of some senior officials of his administration.
In response, the EFCC defended its action, saying it detected suspicious movements of funds from the account and acted to prevent the alleged diversion of public resources.
According to the commission, investigations revealed large transfers from the account to several corporate entities, prompting the decision to obtain a court order freezing the account.
The EFCC maintained that its action was part of its statutory responsibility to safeguard public funds and insisted that the approaching governorship election should not prevent it from carrying out its legal duties.
The development has generated widespread reactions, with opposition figures accusing the Federal Government of using the anti-corruption agency to influence the political process, an allegation the EFCC has denied.
