- Says he’s embarrassed by timing of Commission’s action
By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court to vacate an order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the state’s forthcoming governorship election.
In a State House statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was embarrassed by the timing of the anti-graft agency’s move, although he acknowledged that the EFCC acted within its statutory mandate by obtaining a court order on August 5, 2026.
Tinubu stressed that while he had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s action, the public often attributes every decision taken by federal institutions to the President.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
“I must state that 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,” he said.
The President reiterated his long-standing policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently, professionally, and without political interference.
According to him, since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because he believes that strong democratic institutions are essential for good governance and the rule of law.
Tinubu said institutions established by law should be allowed to exercise their statutory powers without requiring presidential approval for every action.
However, he noted that although he had yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances that informed the EFCC’s application for the court order, the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the timing inappropriate.
“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 stated.
The President said preserving public confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process required his intervention.
He therefore directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts and discontinue the action instituted against the Osun State Government.
Tinubu said the directive was issued in the overriding public interest to ensure that no federal institution is perceived as influencing the electoral process ahead of the governorship poll.
The statement was dated August 6, 2026, and signed by President Tinubu himself.
