- Safiu Kehinde
The Supreme Court has, on Tuesday, fixed October 22 for the hearing of a suit filed by 16 states challenging the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The states, spearheaded by Kogi, in the suit marked SC/CV/178/2023, had, before a seven-man panel of justice, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, sought the constitutionality of the laws establishing EFCC and two other agencies.
As contained in a statement made available to NPO Reports, the plaintiffs argued that the UN Convention against corruption which was enacted into law establishing the EFCC in 2004 did not follow the Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement read in part; “The 16 states are relying on the fact that the Constitution is the supreme law and any law that is inconsistent with it is a nullity.
“The plaintiffs argued that the Supreme Court, in Dr. Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, had held that it was a UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.
“The argument was that, in bringing a convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.
“According to them, the provision of the Constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ Houses of Assembly agreeing to bringing the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done.
“The argument of the states in their present suit, which had reportedly been corroborated by the Supreme Court in the previous case mentioned, is that the law, as enacted, could not be applied to states that never approved of it, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.
“Hence, they argued that any institution so formed should be regarded as an illegal institution.”
Meanwhile 14 states sought to be joined as co-plaintiffs, while two others prayed for an order for consolidation of the case.
Kogi State AG’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, informed the court that there were states that indicated interest in consolidation of the case and those seeking to be joined as co-plaintiffs.
“It is for this honourable court to tell us how to proceed my lord.
“Out of about 15 states, there are about 13 of them that have indicated interest to be co-plaintiffs and only two want consolidation.
“To make the task of the court easier, those who want to be be joined as co-plaintiff should be joined and abide by the processes already filed and those who sought consolidation should be asked to file within seven days,” Mohammed said.
After the lawyers’ submissions, Justice Abba-Aji granted their prayers.
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 22 for hearing.
The Kogi State AG had, in the suit number: SC/CV/178/2023 sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as sole defendant.
In the originating summons filed by a team of lawyers led by Prof .Musa Yakubu, SAN, the state raised six questions for determination and sought nine reliefs.
Among the reliefs sought are “A declaration that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) or any agency of the Federal Government lacks the power to issue any directive, guideline, advisory or any instrument howsoever called for the administration and management of funds belonging to Kogi State of Nigeria or any Local Government Area of Kogt State.
“A declaration that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) or any agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria cannot investigate, requisition documents, invite and or arrest anyone with respect to offences arising from or touching on the administration and management of funds belonging to Kogi State of Nigeria or any Local Government Area of Kogi State.”
Meanwhile, the other states that joined Kogi in the suit include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River and Niger.