President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take immediate steps to vacate the court order freezing the bank account of the Osun State Government with First Bank.
The President’s directive follows widespread public backlash over the anti-graft agency’s action, which drew criticism from concerned Nigerians.
In a statement personally signed on Thursday, Tinubu expressed disappointment over the timing of the EFCC’s move, stressing that although the agency acted within its legal mandate and with a court order, the decision had reflected negatively on his administration.
“I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” the President said.
He noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to him, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.
“This is so because every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action,” he stated.
Tinubu reiterated his commitment to preserving the operational independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, saying he has deliberately avoided interfering in their activities since assuming office.
“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,” he said.
The President explained that he believes strong democratic institutions must be allowed to operate within the law, free from undue executive influence.
“I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law.
“As President, I am committed to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers,” he added.
