Kenneth Okonkwo Slams Tinubu Over Osun Account Order, Says EFCC and ICPC Lack Independence

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies following the directive to unfreeze the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.

Okonkwo argued that the President’s instruction to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reinforces concerns that federal institutions are being influenced by the executive rather than operating independently.

In a post shared on X, the constitutional lawyer described the President’s intervention as “morally understandable but legally untenable.” He maintained that while the decision may appear justified from a political standpoint, it raises constitutional questions about executive interference in the affairs of agencies established to operate independently.

“Even though the order from President Tinubu to the EFCC to unfreeze the Osun State account might seem morally reasonable, it is not legally correct,” Okonkwo wrote.

The former Labour Party spokesperson further alleged that the directive exposed what he described as a pattern of using anti-corruption agencies to target political opponents. According to him, the development supports longstanding claims that institutions such as the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) lack operational independence under the current administration.

Okonkwo also referenced President Tinubu’s recent comments on the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his directive for the ICPC to investigate Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, arguing that the President’s public interventions suggest excessive influence over institutions expected to function independently.

He further claimed that Tinubu’s acknowledgment that he was initially unaware of the EFCC’s decision to freeze the Osun State accounts lends credibility to remarks previously made by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who suggested that the President may not always receive an accurate picture of events from those around him.

Calling for greater vigilance, Okonkwo urged Nigerians to defend democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law, insisting that independent agencies must be free from political interference. He concluded by expressing hope that the 2027 general elections would usher in significant political change.