Osun 2026: There was no court order to vacate, ADC candidate tells Tinubu

House of Assembly candidate for Eti-Osa Constituency II, Ayodele Adio, has faulted a statement attributed to the Presidency directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate what it described as a court order suspending the accounts of the Osun State Government.

This followed President Tinubu’s directive ordering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s bank accounts ahead of the state’s governorship election.

President Tinubu earlier stated that he had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s exparte move on August 5, 2026.

Admitting deep embarrassment over the timing so close to the gubernatorial poll, the President directed the anti-graft agency to return to court, lift the freezing order, and halt the action to preserve the fairness of the electoral process.

Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, Adio described the claim as misleading and legally untenable.

According to him, there was no court order for the EFCC to vacate, arguing that the Presidency’s position reflected a misunderstanding of the law.

He further maintained that even if such an order existed, the EFCC lacked the legal authority to set it aside.

“There was no court order to vacate. More importantly, even if such an order existed, the EFCC has no legal authority to vacate or set aside a court order.

“Only a competent court can vary, discharge or vacate its own orders,” he said.

Adio questioned the basis of the Presidency’s statement, arguing that it had created unnecessary confusion over an issue that should be governed strictly by the law.

“What exactly is being presented to Nigerians? The rule of law cannot be replaced by public relations.

“Public institutions must operate within the limits of the law, not manufacture narratives that cannot withstand legal scrutiny,” he said.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖