Tinubu Orders EFCC to Unfreeze Osun Accounts
Tinubu Orders EFCC to Unfreeze Osun Accounts
By Divine Macaulay ยท
"Nothing ought to be done to create the impression that the EFCC or any other federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process," the President said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action, just days before the state's governorship election, could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was embarrassed by the timing of the anti-graft agency's move, stressing that although the EFCC acted within its statutory powers by obtaining the court order, every action of federal institutions is ultimately attributed to the Presidency.
Tinubu reiterated his longstanding policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently without political interference, noting that he has deliberately refrained from directing the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative bodies since assuming office.
He, however, said the proximity of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State made the action inappropriate.
"Nothing ought to be done to create the impression that the EFCC or any other federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process," the President said.
While noting that he had yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances that informed the EFCC's application for the court order, Tinubu maintained that preserving the credibility, integrity and fairness of Nigeria's democratic process must take precedence.
He consequently directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all related actions against the Osun State Government.
The directive comes barely a day after the anti-graft agency secured a court order freezing an Osun State Government account, a move that triggered widespread political reactions and allegations of federal interference ahead of the governorship election.