ADC Questions EFCC Independence Over Osun Accounts

"The implication is that the long-held argument that these agencies function with complete independence collapses under the weight of the President's own statement."

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said President Bola Tinubu's directive ordering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government's bank accounts has reignited concerns over the anti-graft agency's operational independence.

The opposition party also challenged the President to disclose the court order he referenced, arguing that the EFCC had consistently defended the account freeze as an exercise of its statutory powers and never publicly stated that it had obtained judicial approval before Tinubu's intervention.

The controversy followed the President's directive on Thursday instructing the EFCC to return to court and vacate the order freezing the state's accounts. Tinubu maintained that although the commission acted within its legal mandate, the timing of the action—barely days before the August 15 governorship election—was inappropriate and capable of creating the impression that the Federal Government was seeking to influence the electoral process.

He said he was "deeply embarrassed" by the development, noting that the actions of federal agencies are often perceived as reflecting the position of the presidency.

Before the President's intervention, the EFCC had defended the account freeze, saying it was investigating the alleged diversion of ecological and intervention funds by the Osun State Government. The commission said suspicious financial transactions uncovered during the probe necessitated the restriction.

EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, also dismissed allegations of political interference, insisting the measure was routine and citing a similar restriction placed on Edo State's accounts ahead of the 2024 governorship election.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while the party welcomed Tinubu's directive, the President's explanation had raised more questions than answers.

"What we find most curious about the statement is the President's repeated reference to an alleged court order authorising the freezing of the Osun State Government's accounts," Abdullahi said.

"In all of its public statements on this matter, the EFCC never once claimed that it had obtained a court order. The commission consistently defended its actions on the basis of its statutory powers and what it described as its preventive mandate.

"At no point did it inform Nigerians that a court had authorised its actions. The obvious question, therefore, is: where did the President obtain the information that a court order existed? If such an order exists, why was it never mentioned by the EFCC while defending one of the most controversial actions it has taken in recent times?

"If no such order exists, why would the President introduce one into the public narrative? It is either the President was misinformed or he deliberately misrepresented the facts. Either possibility is deeply disturbing."

The ADC further argued that the President's admission that he directed the EFCC to withdraw the matter undermined longstanding claims that anti-corruption agencies operate independently of executive influence.

"The President also insists that he does not interfere in the operational activities of anti-corruption agencies, yet in the same statement he publicly announces that he has directed the EFCC to approach the court, vacate the alleged order, and discontinue its case," Abdullahi said.

"If the President possesses the authority to direct the EFCC to withdraw from court proceedings because of the potential political consequences, then it follows that he possesses the authority to direct the commission in other operational matters as well.

"The implication is that the long-held argument that these agencies function with complete independence collapses under the weight of the President's own statement."