By SUNTV Global Channel
August 7, 2026
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oba Maduabuchi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s account, arguing that the President lacks the legal authority to direct the operations of the country’s anti-corruption agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Maduabuchi said the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) were established to operate independently and investigate corruption without interference from any arm of government.
According to the senior lawyer, it would be inappropriate for any individual, including the President, who could potentially become the subject of an investigation, to publicly direct agencies responsible for fighting corruption.
“The President does not have the power under any law to control the EFCC or the ICPC in this instance,” Maduabuchi said.
He explained that the anti-graft agencies were created to investigate corruption involving public officials across all branches of government, stressing that allowing political leaders to influence their operations could undermine public confidence in their independence.
However, Maduabuchi noted that public officers are sometimes permitted to exercise discretion in exceptional circumstances where their actions are considered necessary to protect the public interest or prevent unintended consequences.
He said President Tinubu’s intervention in the Osun account controversy could be viewed as an exercise of such discretion, particularly if it was intended to prevent further public controversy or misunderstanding.
The senior lawyer also argued that public perception often carries significant weight, warning that many Nigerians could interpret the freezing of the Osun State Government’s account as politically motivated, regardless of the actual facts.
According to him, once such a perception takes hold, it may be difficult to reverse, making it important for public officials to carefully consider how their actions are viewed by the public.
The comments come amid growing debate over the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and the extent to which the executive arm of government can intervene in their activities.
The controversy surrounding the freezing and subsequent directive to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s account has continued to generate legal and political discussions about the balance between executive authority and the operational independence of the EFCC and ICPC.
