BREAKING: Tinubu intervenes, orders EFCC to unfreeze Osun funds

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately initiate legal steps to vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action could create the impression of federal interference in the state’s forthcoming governorship election.

In a statement released on Thursday, the President instructed the anti-graft agency to approach the court without delay to set aside the freezing order and discontinue all related actions against the Osun State Government.

Tinubu said although the EFCC acted pursuant to a court order in carrying out its statutory responsibilities, he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the development, stressing that actions taken by federal institutions are often perceived by Nigerians as having his direct approval.

“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,” the statement said.

The President reiterated his commitment to preserving the operational independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, noting that he has consistently resisted interfering in the activities of the EFCC and other investigative bodies.

According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to allowing anti-graft institutions to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without political influence or executive interference.

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However, Tinubu maintained that the timing of the account freeze was inappropriate given the political atmosphere in Osun State, where preparations are in top gear for the governorship election scheduled to hold in the coming days.

He warned that any action capable of creating the perception that federal agencies are being deployed to influence the electoral process must be avoided.

“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,” the President stated.

The directive marks a significant intervention by the Presidency amid growing controversy surrounding the EFCC’s decision to obtain a court order freezing the state’s accounts over allegations of financial misconduct.

The action had triggered a sharp reaction from the Osun State Government, which accused the commission of acting on political motives and attempting to frustrate the payment of workers’ palliatives.

The state government had denied allegations that about N11 billion was diverted from public funds, insisting that the anti-graft agency had failed to produce evidence after months of investigation.

President Tinubu’s latest directive appears aimed at defusing political tensions ahead of the governorship poll while reinforcing public confidence in the neutrality of federal institutions during the electoral process.

Political analysts say the President’s intervention underscores the importance of ensuring that anti-corruption investigations do not become entangled with election-related controversies, particularly during sensitive political periods.

While directing the EFCC to seek the lifting of the freezing order, Tinubu did not question the commission’s constitutional mandate to investigate allegations of corruption. Instead, he emphasised that such investigations must be conducted in a manner that does not undermine public trust in the impartiality of government institutions or cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.