Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s role in the ongoing Osun government Tinubu EFCC controversy, saying the President has no legal authority to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to Daily Post, Maduabuchi made the remark while reacting to President Tinubu’s directive asking the EFCC to return to court and withdraw the order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election. He argued that the Osun government Tinubu EFCC issue has raised concerns about the independence of anti-corruption agencies.

The senior lawyer explained that both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) were established by law to operate independently. He maintained that the President cannot legally instruct either agency on how to conduct investigations or handle court matters.

Maduabuchi, however, said the situation could have been handled differently. He noted that the Attorney-General of the Federation could have advised the EFCC to review its decision instead of the President issuing a public directive. According to him, that approach would have avoided the controversy surrounding the Osun government Tinubu EFCC debate.

He added that while the President has constitutional responsibilities, those powers do not extend to directing the EFCC. Maduabuchi stressed that preserving the agency’s independence is essential to maintaining public confidence in the fight against corruption.