BREAKING: PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS EFCC TO LIFT FREEZE ON OSUN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank accounts, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, the President acknowledged that the EFCC acted within its legal mandate by securing a court order but expressed concern that the move, coming just days before the August 15 governorship poll, could create the impression of political interference.
Tinubu said he was not questioning the commission’s authority but was troubled by the timing of the action, noting that the public often attributes the actions of federal agencies to the Presidency, regardless of whether he was involved.
Reaffirming his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, the President said he had consistently allowed institutions such as the EFCC to operate without political interference since assuming office.
However, he stressed that preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process was paramount, adding that no action should cast doubt on the credibility of the forthcoming election in Osun State.
According to Tinubu, although he had yet to receive the full details behind the EFCC’s decision to seek the court order, the circumstances warranted immediate intervention because of the proximity of the election.
He subsequently directed the anti-graft agency to return to court without delay to vacate the order and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government in relation to the account freeze.
The directive follows widespread criticism over the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state’s accounts as part of an investigation into the alleged diversion of public funds, a move that sparked political and legal controversy ahead of the governorship election.
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