Afikuyomi Commends Tinubu’s Directive on Osun Accounts
Sunday Ehigiator
Legal practitioner and Principal Partner at Liberty Semper Fidelis LP, Mr. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, 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, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to electoral fairness and constitutional governance.
In a statement issued yesterday, Afikuyomi said the president’s intervention came at a time when public confidence in the neutrality of state institutions was under scrutiny, noting that the decision underscored the need for elections to be not only free and fair but also perceived as such by Nigerians.
He argued that by directing the EFCC to approach the court instead of pursuing any extra-judicial solution, the president had respected the constitutional process governing judicial orders.
According to him, while the president’s objective of protecting the credibility of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election deserves commendation, it must be pursued within the framework of the constitution.
According to him, “The directive issued today (yesterday) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructing 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 deserves commendation.”
He added that the EFCC remains a statutory body whose investigative and prosecutorial powers are exercised under the law, while the freezing order was issued by a court of competent jurisdiction and could only be reviewed, varied or discharged through due judicial process.
“The law equally provides the mechanism for such an order to be reviewed, varied or discharged upon a proper application. By directing the Commission to return to court rather than seek any extra-judicial resolution, the President has ensured that the matter remains where the Constitution requires it to be resolved: before the judiciary,” he stated.
Afikuyomi further stressed that Nigeria’s constitutional order is anchored on the separation of powers and the independence of institutions, noting that these principles are strengthened when each arm of government performs its constitutional responsibilities without encroaching on the authority of another.
He urged that the president’s concern for safeguarding the integrity of the Osun State governorship election should continue to be reflected in respect for the operational independence of investigative agencies and the constitutional authority of the courts.
The lawyer also called on all institutions expected to play roles in the conduct of the election to emulate the president’s stance.
He listed the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election observers, National Youth Service Corps members serving as ad hoc electoral officials, transport and logistics providers, universities whose academics may serve as returning officers, political parties, candidates, the media and the judiciary as stakeholders that should be guided by the commitment to electoral integrity.
According to him, the president’s intervention aligns with the democratic credentials that have characterised much of his public life, and serves as a reminder that protecting the integrity of elections is a collective constitutional responsibility.
Afikuyomi concluded by stressing that elections in Nigeria must always reflect the freely expressed will of the people, insisting that every public institution, political actor and citizen has a duty to uphold democracy and the rule of law.
“Our elections must reflect the freely expressed will of the Nigerian people. Free and fair elections are not negotiable. Every public institution, politician, and citizen bears a duty to protect that principle. History will ultimately judge not merely the outcome of elections but whether those entrusted with public authority discharged their responsibilities with fidelity to democracy and the rule of law,” he said.