Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition

Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as a “dangerous assault on democracy” that raises serious questions about the neutrality of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law. The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Thursday in Abuja, insisted that there can be no justification for such an action on the eve of a critical election. He warned that restricting access to the state’s principal operational account could disrupt governance, delay salary payments, impede essential public services, and create an atmosphere of intimidation that has no place in a democratic society.

The EFCC, however, has defended its decision, stating that the account freeze was triggered by suspicious movement of funds amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of about N11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations. In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 and that several officials, including the state’s Accountant-General, had been interviewed by investigators. The commission explained that the decision to place a Post-No-Debit order on the account was triggered by unusual fund movements detected from August 2, 2026. “These ongoing investigations of the state government would not have warranted any placement of Post No Debit order on its account but for the precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026,” the EFCC said. “The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved.” The EFCC insisted its action was not politically motivated despite the timing ahead of the Osun governorship election, stressing that it could not overlook financial infractions on account of the poll. “While the Commission is fully aware of the impending governorship election in Osun State, it has a responsibility to act in defence of the sanctity of the funds of the state. It will be uncharitable for the Commission to allow an excuse of an upcoming election to fold its arms to perform its legally-assigned functions,” the statement read.

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Atiku linked the development to what he called a pattern under the Tinubu administration in which opposition-controlled states have become consistent targets of coercive federal actions, citing the earlier withholding of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations. “Coming after the prolonged denial of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations, this latest action reinforces the disturbing impression that public institutions are being weaponised to punish political opponents rather than serve the Nigerian people,” Atiku said. He maintained that the restriction would affect residents more than political officeholders because state funds are required to pay salaries and provide essential public services. “Freezing the state’s allocation account is not merely an attack on the Osun State Government; it is a direct assault on the people of Osun State, whose salaries, essential public services and daily governance stand to suffer. The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he stated.

The Nigerian Bar Association has faulted the EFCC over the freezing of Osun State Government’s bank account, saying the anti-graft agency lacks the constitutional power to impose a blanket restriction on a state’s finances without due legal process. NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that any directive restricting withdrawals from accounts belonging to a state government would effectively cripple governance and amount to an abuse of power. “No government agency or any person has the right or the power to restrict withdrawals from the account of any state because, first of all, the order has the effect of grounding the activities of a government,” Osigwe said. “If the EFCC knows that any particular account is being used for the purpose of fraud, it may be able to obtain a court order, but it cannot make a blanket order freezing the accounts of any state,” he added. “Such an order would be unconstitutional and also violate the powers of the EFCC and may actually amount to an abuse of power.” Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, questioned the legality of the alleged no-debit restriction, insisting that the EFCC must first obtain a court order before freezing any account. He noted that Nigerian courts had consistently ruled that anti-graft agencies could not freeze accounts without judicial authorisation. Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) described the freezing of the bank account as a serious violation of the 1999 Constitution and contrary to the principles of federalism. However, Professor Damilola Olawuyi (SAN) defended the use of account freezing as a recognised preventive tool in tackling economic and financial crimes, provided it is exercised within the limits of the law. He explained that temporary restrictions on accounts had become an internationally recognised mechanism for disrupting illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing. He, however, cautioned that such powers “should not be used as a cudgel to settle political scores”.

Atiku called on the EFCC to immediately reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account. He urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to act with restraint, impartiality and fidelity to the Constitution. “The people of Osun State alone must determine the outcome of their election. No external force or institution of government should, by action or omission, cast a shadow over the credibility of that democratic choice,” he said. The former vice president also called on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist what he described as the misuse of state institutions. “President Tinubu is leaving no one in doubt that he is determined to win elections at all costs. Democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents. I therefore call on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist this dangerous drift before it is too late,” Atiku warned.

Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition