President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift the court-backed restriction placed on the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, describing the timing of the action as unfortunate.
The President also held a telephone conversation with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, during which he informed the governor of his directive to the anti-graft agency to vacate the freezing order.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu expressed concern over the development, stating that although the EFCC has the legal authority to carry out its statutory responsibilities, the timing of the action had created unnecessary controversy and could undermine public confidence.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was personally embarrassed by the circumstances surrounding the freezing of the state’s accounts, noting that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed directly to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the independence of government institutions and allowing them to perform their constitutional duties without political interference. However, he stressed that such actions must always be guided by fairness, sound judgment and consideration of the broader public interest.
The President disclosed that he had not yet received a full briefing on the reasons that led the EFCC to obtain the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts. Nevertheless, he maintained that the timing of the action warranted immediate intervention.
Following the President’s directive, the EFCC is expected to take steps to vacate the restriction placed on the affected accounts while the underlying issues continue to be addressed through the appropriate legal and administrative processes.
