ADC: Tinubu’s Directive on Osun Bank Account Raises Questions Over EFCC’s Independence

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned the independence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the anti-graft agency to return to court and vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank accounts.

The opposition party argued that the President’s explanation has raised fresh concerns about whether the EFCC truly operates independently of the executive arm of government.

President Tinubu had directed the commission to immediately withdraw the case, stating that although the EFCC acted within its legal powers, the timing of the account freeze, coming just days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, was inappropriate.

According to the President, he was “deeply embarrassed” by the development because actions taken by federal agencies are often perceived as actions of the Presidency. He stressed that no government institution should create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the outcome of the forthcoming election.

Before the presidential directive, the EFCC defended its decision, explaining that the action formed part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent management of ecological and intervention funds belonging to the Osun State Government. The commission also claimed it detected suspicious financial transactions during the investigation.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed the President’s intervention but questioned his repeated reference to a court order authorising the account freeze.

According to the party, the EFCC never publicly stated that it obtained any court order before freezing the accounts, relying instead on its statutory powers and preventive mandate to justify its actions.

The ADC therefore challenged the President to disclose the alleged court order, arguing that Nigerians deserve clarity on whether such judicial approval actually exists.

The party further maintained that Tinubu’s public directive to the EFCC undermined repeated assurances that anti-corruption agencies function independently without political interference.

According to the ADC, if the President possesses the authority to instruct the commission to discontinue legal proceedings because of political considerations, it raises legitimate questions about the extent of executive influence over the operations of the anti-graft agency.

The opposition party concluded that the incident has intensified concerns about the credibility and operational independence of institutions responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases in Nigeria.