Nigeria, Aug. 22 -- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lifted the freeze order it placed on the Osun State Government's accounts during the lead-up to last Saturday's governorship election in the state.

The accounts, domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank, are now operational, bringing an end to a standoff that triggered a legal challenge by the state government and drew the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Punch reported that the development was confirmed on Friday by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who said the EFCC could not disregard the president's directive to lift the restriction.

"The lien has been lifted. EFCC cannot ignore the president...