The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discontinue its attempt to freeze the accounts of the Osun State Government, but said the decision has raised serious questions.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned President Tinubu’s reference to an alleged court order authorising the freezing of the accounts.
The ADC said the EFCC had never mentioned such an order in its previous statements defending the action, insisting that the commission had instead relied on its statutory powers and “preventive mandate.”
The party asked why the EFCC failed to disclose the alleged court order and why its spokesperson did not mention it during a Thursday appearance on Arise Television.
According to the ADC, the situation suggests either that the President was misinformed or that the facts were deliberately misrepresented.
The party also faulted the President’s claim that he does not interfere in the operational activities of anti-corruption agencies, arguing that his directive to the EFCC to vacate the alleged order and discontinue the case contradicts that position.
he ADC said the directive raises questions about the operational independence of anti-graft agencies, particularly if the President can intervene in their court proceedings because of political considerations.
It further described President Tinubu’s decision to personally sign the statement as unusual, arguing that the development exposed rather than concealed the extent of presidential influence over the EFCC.
The party alleged that the reversal followed widespread condemnation by Nigerians, civil society groups and political parties, who viewed the account freeze as an attempt to influence the outcome of the Osun governorship election.
The ADC also challenged President Tinubu to extend the same intervention to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, by directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to stop opposing his bail application.
