By Aliyu Oyewole
President Bola Tinubu has personally informed Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of his directive ordering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift the restriction placed on the state’s bank accounts.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Thursday that Tinubu conveyed the decision during a telephone conversation with the governor.
According to Onanuga, the president explained that he had directed the EFCC to withdraw the restriction on the accounts following concerns over the timing of the action.
Earlier on Thursday, Tinubu ordered the anti-graft agency to immediately vacate the restriction placed on Osun State Government accounts, saying that although the EFCC had the statutory authority to investigate financial crimes, freezing the accounts just days before the August 15 governorship election was inappropriate.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government,” Tinubu said in a statement personally signed by him.
However, the EFCC had earlier stated that the restriction on the accounts was based on its powers under the EFCC Establishment Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, rather than a court order.
EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, explained that the restriction would remain in place for 72 hours, after which the commission would approach the court for further orders if necessary.
The commission said the action followed an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of state funds. According to the EFCC, the investigation began in March, during which several officials, including the Osun State Accountant-General, were questioned.
The agency also alleged that it detected substantial transfers from government accounts to various corporate entities beginning on August 2 while the investigation was ongoing.
Reacting to the allegations, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, rejected the EFCC’s claims, describing them as an attempt to justify what he called an unlawful action through baseless accusations.
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the federal government’s intervention seen as an effort to prevent disruption to the state’s financial operations during the electoral period.
