Anambra, Adamawa, Ebonyi Back Out of Supreme Court Case Challenging EFCC’s Legality

The governments of Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi have officially withdrawn from the legal suit challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The decision was confirmed by the Supreme Court’s seven-member panel, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, during a hearing on Tuesday.

The attorneys-general of the three states filed applications to remove their states from the case, leading the court to strike out their names. Originally, sixteen states had joined the suit, spearheaded by the Kogi State government, to question the legality of the EFCC’s establishment and operations.

These states argued that the EFCC was improperly constituted by the National Assembly in 2003 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. They claimed that the EFCC Act failed to comply with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires the approval of state legislatures when domesticating international treaties into Nigerian law. The plaintiffs asserted that the EFCC Act could not apply to states that did not give their consent.

The case has sparked mixed reactions, with some civil society organizations criticizing the legal action, expressing concerns about its implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.

Despite the withdrawal of Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi, the case is still ongoing with the remaining states pursuing their challenge at the Supreme Court.