President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, warning that the timing of the action could cast doubts on the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
Tinubu, in a statement on Thursday made available to The News Chronicle, said he was deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s decision to exercise its legal mandate, but by the timing of the move, which he said could be misconstrued as an attempt by the Federal Government to influence the electoral process.
The President noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to him, even when he may not have prior knowledge of such decisions.
He stressed that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to operate independently, professionally, and without political interference, adding that he had consistently avoided directing or meddling in the activities of the EFCC and other investigative bodies since assuming office.
“Strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to good governance and the rule of law,” Tinubu said.
While acknowledging that the EFCC obtained the freezing order through a court process, the President said he had not been fully briefed on the facts behind the action but expressed concern that its timing was “inauspicious.”
“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 agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election,” he stated.
Tinubu said his intervention was necessary to protect public confidence and safeguard the integrity, credibility, and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process.
He consequently directed the EFCC to discontinue all actions against the Osun State Government relating to the matter and take immediate steps to have the court order vacated.
