Tinubu Orders EFCC To Unfreeze Osun Government Account Ahead Of Governorship Election

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the EFCC to unfreeze the Osun State Government's bank account, arguing that the timing of the restriction, just days before the governorship election, could create the perception of political interference. The EFCC had frozen the account while investigating the alleged movement of N11 billion in public funds but insisted the action was part of its anti-corruption mandate. The decision follows strong objections from Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration and marks the latest development in the dispute between the state government and the anti-graft agency.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to unfreeze the bank account of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the anti-graft agency's action just days before the state's governorship election.
The directive comes after the EFCC froze the account as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged movement and possible diversion of about N11 billion (approximately $8.08 million) in public funds.
The anti-corruption agency had said its investigation, which began in March 2026, focused on the alleged misuse of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The account restriction triggered a political dispute, with the Osun State Government accusing the EFCC of acting outside its legal powers and attempting to disrupt government operations before the election.

TINUBU CITES ELECTION TIMING

In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu stressed that he was not questioning the EFCC's constitutional mandate to investigate financial crimes.
However, he expressed concern that the timing of the action could create the impression of political interference.
"While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene."
The President directed the commission to approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue the related legal proceedings against the Osun State Government.
He also emphasised that no federal institution should undertake actions capable of undermining public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
"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," the statement added.

EFCC DEFENDED INVESTIGATION

Before the presidential intervention, the EFCC had defended its decision, insisting that investigators detected suspicious transfers of public funds into several corporate accounts.
The commission maintained that freezing the account was necessary to prevent further movement of funds while investigations continued.
It also rejected allegations that the investigation was politically motivated.
"The Commission has always pointed out that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian but always working in the overall interests of Nigerians," the agency said.
The EFCC confirmed that several senior officials, including the Osun State Accountant-General, had already been questioned as part of the investigation.

OSUN GOVERNMENT WELCOMED INTERVENTION

Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier condemned the account restriction, describing it as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The state government argued that freezing its account would delay salaries, disrupt government programmes and affect the delivery of essential public services during the sensitive election period.
The state's Attorney-General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, also questioned the legality of the EFCC's action, insisting that the commission should have obtained proper judicial authorisation before restricting access to state funds.

LATEST TWIST IN GROWING DISPUTE

Tinubu's directive marks the latest development in the standoff between the federal anti-corruption agency and the Osun State Government.
Only days earlier, the EFCC announced the account freeze after alleging suspicious financial transactions involving about N11 billion, while the Osun Government insisted the investigation was politically motivated.
The disagreement reignited long-running debates over the scope of the EFCC's investigative powers, particularly its authority to freeze state government accounts during corruption investigations.
Legal experts say the President's intervention is likely to ease immediate political tensions while allowing the underlying investigation to continue through appropriate legal channels.