October 21, 2024
The arguments on whether or not the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC is relevant considering it duties and mode of operation, have become a subject of litigation and debate.
While Sixteen states filed consolidated suits challenging the powers of the EFCC, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and any other similar agency of the Federal Government, renowned lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, had described the EFCC as
“unlawful organization.”
Amid the controversial calls to scrap the EFCC, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, have come to stay.
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The 16 states comprising Kogi, Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River and Niger state governments, are relying on the fact that the constitution is the supreme law and that any law that is inconsistent with it is null and void.
Agbakoba SAN, believes that EFCC was “unconstitutionally established” due to growing public concerns on the conduct of anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, with many questioning whether these institutions are adhering to their mandates or operating with unchecked powers.
On the other hand, Falana, who appeared on television program, advised the states that rather than challenging the legality of EFCC, they should seek measures to ensure that the agency is not used as a tool for witch hunt by government.
“For me, the ICPC and the EFCC like the Code of Conduct Tribunal, have come to stay. What we should be demanding are measures to make these institutions autonomous, not under the control of any government,” he said.
“And the Supreme Court has maintained rather repeatedly concerning the EFCC and EFCC; that these are common, they shouldn’t be under the control of the Federal Government.
“They are common agencies to fight economic crimes in our country, to fight financial crimes in our country, to fight corruption in our country.” Falana insisted.