Tinubu, EFCC boss meet on seized houses after Osun freeze row

President Bola Tinubu convened with the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, at the State House in Abuja. The primary focus of their discussion was the transparent management and disposal of houses seized nationwide by the anti-graft agency.

This meeting marks the first public engagement between President Tinubu and EFCC Chairman Olukoyede since the President publicly rescinded the commission's decision to freeze the accounts of Osun State Government. The EFCC had obtained a court order to freeze the state's accounts on August 5, 2026, citing an investigation into alleged fraudulent handling of funds totaling approximately N11 billion. The Osun State Government contested this order, filing a lawsuit and seeking N2 billion in damages, accusing the EFCC of an unfounded "witch-hunt."

Just ten days before the August 15 governorship election, President Tinubu personally intervened, directing the EFCC to vacate the freeze order. He expressed embarrassment not by the EFCC's mandate, but by the timing of its action, stating that no federal institution should appear to be influencing electoral outcomes. Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently won re-election in the August 15 poll.

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Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Ola Olukoyede, and Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the management and disposal of seized houses nationwide, under the rules of transparency and Accountability at the State House, Abuja. Tuesday, August 18, 2026.