Osun Account: CISLAC Backs EFCC, Condemns Presidential Interference

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over its controversial restriction of the Osun State Government’s accounts, warning that presidential intervention could undermine the independence of anti-corruption institutions.

CISLAC, in a press briefing by its executive director and head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the EFCC’s decision to restrict the accounts should be viewed within the context of its statutory responsibility to protect public resources from possible diversion or misuse.

The organisation, however, expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the EFCC to withdraw the court order authorizing the freeze on the state’s account, saying such intervention could create the perception that anti-corruption agencies are subject to political control.

“That perception is extremely damaging,” CISLAC warned, stressing that Nigeria cannot build strong institutions if enforcement agencies are perceived to be powerful when investigating some individuals or governments but vulnerable to political intervention when their actions become inconvenient to those in authority.

The group further stated that if the EFCC had credible evidence suggesting that public funds were at risk of diversion, the appropriate course should be to allow the courts and investigative process to determine the matter.

“Public money does not belong to any governor, political party or administration. It belongs to the citizens,” the statement said.

CISLAC argued that where an anti-corruption agency exceeds its authority, the judiciary should be allowed to correct it through established legal procedures, rather than through political directives.

The organisation therefore called on the President to provide policy support, adequate funding and institutional protection for anti-corruption agencies, rather than directing specific investigations or enforcement decisions.

CISLAC maintained that allocations to states, local governments and the federal government are intended for governance and development, including education, healthcare, security, infrastructure and the general welfare of citizens—not political activities.

It referenced the EFCC’s intervention during the Edo State governorship election, where it said about ₦12 billion was preserved following concerns over alleged contract inflation and diversion of federal allocations.

CISLAC also cited a 2021 case involving a ₦20 billion Kogi State salary bailout fund, which the EFCC sought to restrict through a Federal High Court order to prevent possible dissipation of the funds while investigations continued.

The organisation said the underlying principle in such cases was simple: investigations should not be defeated by the movement or dissipation of funds.
“You cannot investigate a moving target,” it said.