Breaking: “This Is Embarrassing”, Tinubu Says, Orders EFCC to Unfreeze Osun State Account

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return to court and vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.

The EFCC had obtained the court order on August 5, 2026, as part of its investigation into alleged financial infractions involving the state government, including allegations of misappropriating N11 billion.

Tinubu said he was not opposed to the EFCC carrying out its statutory duties independently, but expressed concern over the timing of the action, coming only days before the Osun governorship election.

The President said the timing could create the impression that the EFCC or another federal agency was being used to interfere with the election, potentially undermining public confidence in the democratic process.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He explained that although he had not been fully briefed on the facts behind the EFCC’s decision, he felt compelled to intervene because of the proximity of the election.

Tinubu stressed that since assuming office, he had maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies should operate independently, professionally and without political interference.

He subsequently ordered the EFCC to immediately return to court, vacate the freezing order and discontinue its action against the Osun State Government.

The directive comes amid an ongoing dispute between the Osun State Government and the EFCC, with the state denying allegations of financial misconduct, while the anti-graft agency maintains that its investigation is lawful and not politically motivated.