President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return to court and seek the immediate lifting of an order freezing an account belonging to the Osun State Government.
Tinubu gave the directive on Thursday, saying the timing of the EFCC’s action was inappropriate, particularly with the Osun State governorship election only days away.
The President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the development, rather than by the anti-graft agency’s decision to exercise its legal mandate.
“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 said.
Why Tinubu Intervened
According to the President, actions taken by federal institutions are often associated with the presidency, even when he has no prior knowledge of them.
He explained that his administration has consistently supported the independence of anti-corruption and law-enforcement institutions since he assumed office in May 2023.
Tinubu stressed that he has deliberately avoided interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because strong institutions are essential to democratic governance and the rule of law.
However, he said the circumstances surrounding the Osun account required him to intervene.
The President noted that he had not yet received the full details of the matter but considered the timing particularly concerning.
“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.
Adeleke Raises Alarm Over Frozen Account
The controversy began after Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke disclosed on Tuesday that the EFCC had frozen one of the state government’s accounts held with a commercial bank.
Adeleke claimed the account, which he said was used to pay workers’ salaries, had been placed on a “Post No Debit” restriction.
The governor also alleged that the anti-graft agency was considering action against accounts belonging to some senior state government officials.
He subsequently challenged the EFCC to explain why the state account had been restricted and provide evidence supporting its action.
EFCC Explains Why It Froze the Account
The EFCC, however, defended its decision and said its action followed what it described as suspicious movements of funds from the account.
According to the commission, it detected substantial transfers to several corporate entities and moved to halt the transactions.
The anti-graft agency maintained that protecting public funds falls within its statutory responsibilities and argued that an upcoming election should not prevent it from investigating suspected financial irregularities.
The commission also rejected suggestions that the election influenced its decision, insisting that it was acting within its legal mandate.
Political Tensions Rise
The account-freezing controversy has generated considerable debate, particularly because the Osun governorship election is approaching.
Opposition figures have questioned the timing of the EFCC’s action, while the commission has maintained that it would be wrong to suspend its statutory duties simply because an election is imminent.
Tinubu’s latest directive now shifts the matter back to the courts, where the EFCC is expected to seek the lifting of the freezing order.
The development also puts renewed focus on the balance between independent anti-corruption investigations and the need to prevent the activities of law-enforcement agencies from being perceived as political interference during an election period.
For more information on Nigeria‘s anti-corruption efforts and the work of the EFCC, visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official website.
