The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is questioning President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze Osun State government bank accounts based on a judicial order.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging the President’s move to have the EFCC reverse the freeze. However, the party demanded clarity on which specific court order necessitated the directive.
The ADC noted that the EFCC previously defended its actions by citing its own statutory powers and preventive mandate, never mentioning a court order. The party warned that if the President was either misinformed or intentionally misrepresenting the facts, the situation is troubling.
Furthermore, the ADC highlighted that the President’s direct intervention into EFCC operations contradicts the principle that anti-corruption agencies are independent. The party argued that if the President can influence the EFCC to avoid unfavorable election outcomes, his authority likely extends to other operational matters as well.
The opposition also criticized the President for handling the issue personally through a signed statement rather than utilizing standard government procedures. The ADC attributed the reversal of the freeze to public outcry rather than a sudden adherence to democratic principles. Finally, the party challenged the President to show similar intervention by directing the ICPC to stop opposing the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
