BREAKING: Anambra Withdraws From Lawsuit Challenging EFCC’s Legality

The Anambra State Government has officially withdrawn from a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The state’s Attorney General, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, announced the decision on Tuesday, informing the Supreme Court of Anambra’s exit from the case, which was originally initiated by Kogi State. The formal withdrawal notice was dated October 20.

This development follows Osun State’s move to consolidate its grievances against the EFCC alongside Kogi State. Osun’s Attorney-General, Oluwole Bada, told the court that the state seeks similar reliefs as those pursued by Kogi State.

Several other states have also appeared in the case, including Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Ondo, Niger, Edo, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, and Nasarawa. However, Sokoto State, initially a co-plaintiff, did not send a representative to the court.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, did not object to Anambra’s withdrawal from the case.

The lawsuit, led by 16 states, contests the legality of the EFCC’s establishment, arguing that Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires majority approval from state Houses of Assembly for such an agency, was not followed. As a result, they claim the EFCC’s operations are unconstitutional. The EFCC was created by an Act of the National Assembly on December 12, 2002.