Tinubu Intervenes! President Calls Adeleke After Dramatic EFCC Standoff

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday held a telephone conversation with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke after directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take steps toward lifting the court order freezing one of the state’s bank accounts.

The development was disclosed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his official account.

According to Onanuga, President Tinubu informed Governor Adeleke during the call that he had instructed the EFCC to lift the court order affecting the Osun State Government account.

In a separate statement issued on Thursday, the President expressed concern over the timing of the anti-graft agency’s action, saying he was personally embarrassed by the development.

Tinubu clarified that while he respects the EFCC’s constitutional mandate and its authority to seek court orders in the discharge of its responsibilities, the timing of the account freeze had raised legitimate concerns.

He noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them, adding that the incident had placed him in an uncomfortable position.

The President reiterated his commitment to preserving the independence of government institutions and allowing them to operate within the limits of their constitutional responsibilities without undue interference.

However, he explained that although he had not yet received a comprehensive briefing on the circumstances that prompted the EFCC to obtain the court order, he considered the timing of the action inappropriate and worthy of presidential intervention.

Tinubu maintained that his decision to intervene was informed by the need to ensure fairness, protect public confidence in government institutions and prevent actions capable of generating unnecessary political tension.