NIGERIA’S Supreme Court, earlier today (Friday 15 November 2024) declined to declare the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and two other anti-corruption agencies that were created by the Federal Government illegal.
Kogi and 15 other states had challenged the legality of the laws establishing the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In a unanimous judgment earlier today (Friday 15 November 2024) a seven-member panel of the apex court held that the suit lacks merit.
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations Convention on Corruption, ought to be ratified by the majority of the state Houses of Assembly.
Eighteen-Eleven Media