Ex-Lawmaker Oladele Commends Supreme Court Ruling Upholding EFCC, Anti-Corruption Agencies
Hon. Kayode Oladele, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, has lauded the Nigerian Supreme Court for dismissing a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of major anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The case, initiated by the Kogi State Government and supported by 19 states, contested the EFCC’s authority to investigate and prosecute crimes nationwide, claiming the EFCC Act conflicted with the Nigerian Constitution. However, the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji and a seven-member panel, ruled unanimously in favor of the EFCC, confirming that the agencies were legally established under the legislative powers of the National Assembly.
Oladele praised the ruling as a validation of Nigeria’s cooperative federalism, allowing federal and state governments to share certain agencies like the EFCC. He stated, “This decision vindicates our position that under Nigeria’s cooperative federalism, agencies like the EFCC are empowered to institute criminal proceedings as outlined in sections 174(1)(b) and 211(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.”
He further emphasized that the judgment reinforced the operational strength of the anti-corruption bodies, adding, “It has put to rest efforts by influential forces aiming to derail the government’s anti-corruption fight. This will undoubtedly bolster the capacity of these agencies to combat corruption effectively.”
The ruling follows a debate where Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and Hon. Oladele opposed the views of Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), who argued that the EFCC was unconstitutionally established. Falana and Oladele dismissed Agbakoba’s claims as lacking legal foundation.
The Supreme Court’s decision strikes down the motives of the 16 state governments that pursued the suit, labeling them as “selfish” and reinforcing the EFCC’s jurisdiction at both federal and state levels.
