Tinubu Directs EFCC to Lift Freeze on Osun State Account

WHO:

Vanguard News - President Bola Tinubu directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift the freeze on Osun State Government accounts.

Vanguard News - Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is involved in the situation, having filed a lawsuit against the EFCC.

Vanguard News - Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), commented on the EFCC's actions.

Punch Newspapers - The EFCC is the agency involved in freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.

WHAT:

Vanguard News - President Tinubu directed the EFCC to approach the court to vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.

Vanguard News - Governor Adeleke filed a N2 billion lawsuit against the EFCC for what he termed unlawful freezing of the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

Punch Newspapers - The EFCC obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, to freeze the accounts of the Osun State Government.

Vanguard News - The EFCC claimed the accounts were frozen due to alleged diversion of N11 billion in ecological and intervention funds.

WHERE:

Vanguard News - The events are taking place in Osun State, Nigeria.

Punch Newspapers - The lawsuit was filed in a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

WHEN:

Punch Newspapers - The EFCC obtained the court order on August 5, 2026.

Vanguard News - The Osun State governorship election is scheduled to occur in a few days.

WHY:

Vanguard News - President Tinubu expressed concern over the timing of the EFCC's action, stating it could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Punch Newspapers - The EFCC's actions were part of an investigation into alleged financial infractions involving the Osun State Government.

HOW:

Punch Newspapers - The EFCC stated it has the authority to freeze accounts for 72 hours without a court order before seeking judicial approval for further restrictions.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 08:56 UTC)

President Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, to approach the court to lift the freeze on the Osun State Government's accounts, which were frozen following allegations of financial misconduct. Governor Ademola Adeleke has responded by filing a N2 billion lawsuit against the EFCC, claiming the freezing of the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account was unlawful. The EFCC obtained a court order to freeze these accounts on August 5, 2026, and has stated that their actions are part of an investigation into alleged diversions of N11 billion in ecological and intervention funds.