The Anambra State Government has officially withdrawn from a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).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, made this known on Tuesday morning, informing the Supreme Court of the decision, which was formalized in a notice dated October 20, 2024.
Anambra’s withdrawal comes amid a broader legal battle initiated by Kogi State, with Osun State seeking to consolidate its own grievances against the EFCC in the same case.
Osun’s Attorney-General, Mr. Oluwole Bada, indicated to the Supreme Court that his state was pursuing the same reliefs as Kogi.
Several other states are still involved 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, originally a co-plaintiff, did not send a representative.
The case revolves around the legality of the EFCC, established by an Act of the National Assembly on December 12, 2002.
The 16 states involved in the lawsuit argue that the EFCC’s creation violated Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires majority approval from state Houses of Assembly. They claim that this constitutional provision was overlooked, rendering the EFCC’s operations unlawful.
Notably, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, did not oppose Anambra’s withdrawal from the case, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute.
(Vanguard)
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