The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International Nigeria, has expressed concern over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported intervention in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) enforcement action involving the accounts of the Osun State Government, warning that such actions could undermine the independence of anti-corruption institutions.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation said while it recognizes the need to prevent anti-corruption agencies from taking actions capable of disrupting legitimate government functions, direct presidential involvement in an ongoing enforcement matter raises serious questions about institutional autonomy and the rule of law.
According to CISLAC, the EFCC was established by law to investigate, prevent and prosecute economic and financial crimes, and must be allowed to perform its statutory responsibilities professionally and without political interference.
The organisation argued that if the freezing of the Osun State Government accounts was based on credible intelligence suggesting a risk of diversion, misappropriation or misuse of public funds, the appropriate course of action should have been to allow the courts and investigative processes to run their course.
“Public money does not belong to any governor, political party or administration. It belongs to the citizens,” CISLAC stated, emphasizing that anti-corruption agencies have a responsibility to protect public resources whenever there are reasonable grounds for concern.
The group warned that public directives from the President regarding specific enforcement actions could create the impression that anti-corruption investigations are subject to presidential control, a perception it described as damaging to public confidence in governance and accountability institutions.
CISLAC maintained that anti-corruption agencies should be able to make operational decisions independently and defend those decisions before the courts without requiring political direction from the Presidency.
The organisation further argued that where enforcement actions are considered excessive or unlawful, the judiciary remains the appropriate institution to review and correct such decisions through established legal procedures.
Addressing concerns surrounding the freezing of government accounts, CISLAC noted that such measures are designed to preserve public funds and prevent the dissipation of assets while investigations are ongoing.
The group cited previous instances in Kogi, Edo and Benue States where the EFCC obtained court orders to restrict access to certain accounts pending investigations into allegations involving public funds. According to CISLAC, the courts have consistently upheld the Commission’s authority to take preventive action where there is a risk that funds may be moved beyond recovery before investigations are concluded.
It argued that freezing accounts should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt but as a lawful mechanism aimed at preserving evidence and safeguarding public resources.
CISLAC also disclosed that it had received information indicating that the EFCC obtained a Federal High Court order before placing restrictions on the Osun accounts, adding that the Commission’s actions were supported by provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.
The organisation called on the Federal Government to guarantee the operational independence of the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other anti-corruption bodies, while urging the National Assembly to strengthen legal safeguards against political interference.
It further stressed that anti-corruption institutions should never be used as instruments of political contestation, insisting that enforcement actions must be guided solely by evidence and the law, regardless of the political affiliation of those involved.
While advocating greater transparency in anti-corruption operations, CISLAC recommended that account restrictions should be accompanied by timely investigations and judicial oversight to ensure accountability and public confidence.
The organisation commended EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and his team for what it described as efforts to protect public funds and urged Nigerians to support anti-corruption initiatives aimed at safeguarding national resources and strengthening democratic governance.
According to CISLAC, the broader issue extends beyond Osun State and concerns the country’s commitment to building independent institutions capable of protecting public resources without fear, favour or political interference.
