Tinubu orders EFCC to lift freeze on Osun state account

President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately seek a court order to unfreeze a bank account belonging to the Osun State Government, citing concerns that the timing of the action could be seen as federal interference in the state's upcoming governorship election. The directive was issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

In a statement, Tinubu said he became aware that the EFCC had secured a court order to freeze the account on August 5, just days before the Osun gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15. While affirming the anti-graft agency's statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, the President stated his primary concern was the political perception of the action during a sensitive electoral period. He said he felt compelled to intervene to preserve public confidence in the democratic process, noting that actions by federal institutions are often attributed to the presidency.

Tinubu personally informed Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of the directive during a telephone conversation on Thursday. The President reiterated his longstanding policy of allowing law enforcement agencies to operate independently...