Tinubu’s directive to EFCC on Osun account shows commitment to electoral fairness – Afikuyomi

Tokunbo Afikuyomi, principal partner of Liberty Semper Fidelis LP, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return to court and seek the discharge of the order freezing the accounts of the Osun state government.

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Afikuyomi said the president’s directive demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that no action of the federal government created the impression of influencing the forthcoming Osun state governorship election.

He, however, said constitutional governance required that such objectives be pursued through constitutionally appropriate means, noting that the EFCC was a statutory body whose investigative and prosecutorial functions were exercised pursuant to law.

Afikuyomi said the order freezing the Osun state government’s accounts remained a judicial order made by a court of competent jurisdiction and could only be reviewed, varied or discharged through an application before the court.

According to the legal practitioner, by directing the EFCC to return to court rather than pursue an extra-judicial resolution, the president ensured that the matter remained before the judiciary.

Afikuyomi said the constitutional order rested on the separation of powers and the independence of institutions.

He explained that the president’s concern for the credibility of the Osun governorship election should continue to be shown in respect for the operational independence of investigative agencies and the constitutional authority of the courts.

He said the president’s decision should serve as guidance to institutions and stakeholders expected to participate in the governorship election, including security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election observers, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving as ad hoc electoral officials political parties, candidates, the media and the judiciary.

He noted all stakeholders should be guided by the commitment to protecting the democratic process and ensuring that elections reflected the freely expressed will of the people.

Afikuyomi added that every public institution, politician and citizen had a duty to protect the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

On Wednesday, the EFCC said it froze the state government’s bank accounts over the alleged fraudulent handling of funds.

The anti-graft agency said it had been investigating the government since March, adding that some officials, including the accountant-general, had been interviewed by its investigators.

The commission said it observed huge transfers from the accounts into different corporate entities since August 2 amid the probe.

But in a statement on Thursday, Kolapo Alimi, commissioner for information and public enlightenment, faulted the EFCC’s account, describing it as an attempt to cover up an illegal action through unfounded allegations.

President Bola Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun state government.(TheCable)