The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the lawsuit filed by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two other entities. A date for the judgment will be communicated to the parties.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Imo, Bauchi, and Osun states joined the case as co-plaintiffs, while Anambra, Ebonyi, and Adamawa states announced their withdrawal from the suit, leading the court to strike out their cases.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), appearing as the defendant, requested the court’s permission to consider a process filed earlier that morning. Justice Uwani Abba-Aji granted leave to the defendant to use the reply on points of law submitted that day.
‘Nigeria Cannot Do Without EFCC’
The calls for the scrapping of the agency have continued to trigger debates among stakeholders.
However, the agency accused the governors of trying to derail the EFCC’s efforts at combating corruption which has continued to become a huge issue in Nigeria.
The Director of Public Affairs in the EFCC Wilson Uwujaren says the push for the scrapping of the agency is because governors are “feeling the heat” of the anti-graft body’s work.
According to him, if the agency is scrapped, Nigeria cannot survive.
“We are really shocked by what is happening,” Uwujaren said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast show The Morning Brief.
“Nigerians should see through this shenanigan and oppose it because I don’t see how this country can survive without the EFCC with the kind of corruption problem that we have. Nigeria cannot do without the EFCC.”