Supreme Court Finally Gives Verdict on 16 Governors’ Suit Against EFCC, Details Emerge

• The Supreme Court has decided on the case filed by some state governors seeking to scrap the EFCC operation in Nigeria
• The apex court dismissed the suit instituted by some state attorneys general challenging the establishment of the EFCC Act
• Legit.ng reported that the lawsuit, initially filed by the Kogi state government, and later joined by 15 other states, is contesting the legality of the EFCC

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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Supreme Court dismissed the suit instituted by some state Attorneys General challenging the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act on Friday, November 15.

The suit, which was initially instituted by attorneys general of 16 states, sought the scrapping of the anti-graft agency.

While some states withdrew from the suit, some others asked to be joined as co-plaintiffs.

Why 16 governors dragged EFCC to Supreme Court

Recall that 16 state governments, in their suit, had challenged the constitutionality of laws establishing the EFCC and two other agencies.

The states argued that these laws violate the Nigerian Constitution and want the court to determine if the EFCC can investigate or arrest individuals related to state fund management

The states that initiated the suit include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River and Niger.

However, at the resumed hearing on October 22, Imo, Bauchi, and Osun states joined the suit as co-plaintiffs while Anambra, Ebonyi, and Adamawa states announced their decisions to withdraw their suits.

As reported by Channels TV on Friday, the trio’s suits were struck out, accordingly, by the court.

Read more on EFCC cases here:

• Alleged N110.4bn fraud: EFCC takes fresh action in case against Yahaya Bello, details emerge
• EFCC vs Willie Obiano: Witness tells court how Anambra govt transferred dollars to his account

EFCC unconstitutionally established, says Agbakoba

In another report, Legit.ng reported that a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, called on the National Assembly to convene a public hearing to consider constitutional issues surrounding the establishment of the EFCC.

Agbakoba said the EFCC was unconstitutionally established and an unlawful organisation.

Reacting, the EFCC strongly opposed efforts to scrap the agency, warning that this would cripple Nigeria’s fight against corruption.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.