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In a bold move, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has spearheaded a coalition of 15 Nigerian governors seeking a court order to block the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating them after leaving office. The states involved in this unprecedented legal action include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River, and Niger.
Legal Challenge Against the EFCC
The suit was filed with the Supreme Court and is set for hearing on October 22. The governors are contesting the constitutionality of the laws that established the EFCC, arguing that these laws were passed without the necessary approval from a majority of state Houses of Assembly. They claim that any institution formed under such circumstances should be deemed illegal.
Kogi State’s Attorney General stated that the EFCC lacks the authority to investigate or take action against former governors regarding the management of state funds. The suit also seeks to prevent the EFCC from issuing directives that could affect state governance.
Background of Tensions with the EFCC
This legal action comes amid ongoing tensions between Yahaya Bello and the EFCC, which has accused him of being involved in a massive fraud amounting to N110 billion. The commission has been pursuing allegations against Bello since he left office earlier this year, leading to a series of legal battles concerning his alleged financial misconduct.
In July 2024, Kogi State lawmakers established a state-owned anti-graft agency, asserting that it was not intended to rival the EFCC but rather to enhance transparency in governance.
Conclusion
The Kogi governor’s initiative to block EFCC investigations reflects ongoing tensions between state governments and federal anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear this landmark case, all eyes will be on the proceedings and their potential impact on governance and accountability across the nation.
