By Paul Dada

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  to get the court to unfreeze the bank account of the Osun State Government.

He said the the timing of  the freezing of the account by the EFCC was inappropriate with the Osun governorship election only days away.

In a State House statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the anti-graft agency secured the court order on August 5. While affirming the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate alleged financial crimes, Tinubu expressed concern that the development could create the impression of federal interference in the forthcoming election.

The President stressed that he had consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities independently, without political direction or interference.

He explained that although he had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s decision to obtain the order, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency.

Tinubu said, “I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action.”

He reiterated that he remained committed to strengthening democratic institutions by allowing them to operate within the law and without political influence.

“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” he said.

Although he noted that he had not yet been fully briefed on the circumstances that led the EFCC to seek the order, Tinubu maintained that the timing was ill-advised.

He said, “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 other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election.”

The President said preserving public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the democratic process required immediate action.

“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” Tinubu said.