By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a statement issued from the State House on Thursday, the President said he was embarrassed by the timing of the EFCC’s move, even though the anti-graft agency acted within its legal powers by obtaining the court order on August 5.
Tinubu stressed that he had consistently allowed anti-corruption agencies to operate independently without political interference since assuming office, adding that he had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s action.
The President said institutions of government must be free to perform their statutory duties but noted that the freezing of the state’s accounts so close to the election could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence 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 any other federal agency is being used to interfere with the election,” the statement read.
Although he said he had yet to receive the full details that informed the EFCC’s decision, Tinubu maintained that the timing was inappropriate and warranted presidential intervention in the interest of protecting public confidence in the electoral process.
He subsequently directed the EFCC to return to court immediately to vacate the order freezing the accounts and discontinue the legal action against the Osun State Government.
The directive comes amid growing political tension in Osun State as preparations intensify for the governorship election scheduled to hold in the coming days.
