President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank account.

The directive followed the EFCC’s decision to obtain a court order freezing the state’s account with First Bank, a move that came 10 days before the Osun State governorship election and sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties and other concerned Nigerians.

In a statement titled “President Tinubu Directs EFCC to Vacate the Court Order Freezing Osun Government Account,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the action, although not by the EFCC’s lawful exercise of its mandate.

Tinubu said actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the President, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them, stressing that he remains committed to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.

“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,” the President said.

He added that he had deliberately avoided interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because strong, independent institutions are essential to democratic governance and the rule of law.

However, Tinubu said he had directed the anti-graft agency to return to court and withdraw the freezing order against the Osun State Government, bringing an end to the legal action in the matter.