President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to lift the court order freezing the Osun State Government account, a directive he personally communicated to Governor Ademola Adeleke in a phone conversation on Thursday.
The move comes after Governor Adeleke, through the state’s Attorney-General, challenged the legality of the EFCC’s action, arguing that the anti-graft agency lacked the authority to freeze the state’s statutory account. Governor Adeleke had earlier directed the state’s Attorney-General to approach the court for a proper interpretation of the legal issues surrounding the EFCC’s action.
The President’s intervention signals a significant shift in the dispute between the EFCC and the Osun State Government, with Tinubu taking a direct role in resolving the standoff. The EFCC had frozen the state’s statutory account domiciled with First Bank, citing concerns over financial impropriety.
The development is expected to ease tensions in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, as the state government moves to restore access to funds meant for salaries, pensions, healthcare, education, and other essential services.