Tinubu Calls Adeleke, Reaffirms Directive to Lift Freeze on Osun Government Accounts
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday held a telephone conversation with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, reaffirming his directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take immediate steps to vacate the court order freezing the state’s bank accounts.
During the conversation, the President personally informed Governor Adeleke that the anti graft agency had been directed to return to court and withdraw the order restricting the state’s access to its funds.
He assured the governor that the necessary steps were already being taken to restore the state’s access to its accounts.
Tinubu’s intervention followed concerns over the timing of the EFCC’s action, which came just days before the Osun State governorship election.
The President acknowledged that while the commission acted within its statutory powers by obtaining a court order, the timing of the move could create the perception of political interference and undermine public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
The President stressed that his administration remains committed to preserving the independence of anti corruption agencies while ensuring that their actions do not cast doubt on the fairness and integrity of democratic elections. He maintained that protecting public trust in the electoral process remains a priority, particularly at a sensitive political period.
Tinubu also directed the EFCC to discontinue all legal proceedings relating to the freezing of the Osun State Government accounts. The move is expected to restore the state’s access to its funds and ease political tension ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.