The Anambra State Government has officially withdrawn from a case that seeks to declare the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission illegal.
The state’s Attorney General, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, announced the decision on Tuesday, telling the Supreme Court that Anambra no longer wishes to be involved in the legal action.
The case was originally brought forward by Kogi State, which argued that the EFCC was not properly established under Nigeria’s Constitution. Prof. Ifemeje’s notice of withdrawal was dated October 20, and the Attorney-General of the Federation did not oppose Anambra’s request to exit the case.
Meanwhile, Osun State, represented by its Attorney-General, Mr. Oluwole Bada, has asked to join Kogi in its challenge against the EFCC, seeking similar reliefs. The case also saw the involvement of several other states, including Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Oyo, Benue, and Edo.
The 16 states involved in the case argue that the EFCC was not validly established because it did not follow the necessary constitutional steps. They claim that the EFCC Act, which was passed during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, should have been approved by the majority of state Houses of Assembly.
The plaintiffs maintain that because these constitutional requirements were not met, the EFCC should be declared illegal. Kogi State has raised six questions for the Supreme Court to address, including a request for a ruling that the EFCC cannot investigate or arrest individuals concerning state or local government funds.
