EFCC suffers humiliating setback as state judge issues warning

– A judge in Akwa Ibom barred the EFCC from investigating the finance of the state

– Banks were also instructed from giving information to the anti-graft agency

– The EFCC says it is unaware of the restraining order

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has suffered a major setback in its quest to fight corruption as a state High Court in Akwa Ibom has given an interim injunction restraining it from investigating the financial management of the state.

Premium Times reports that the injunction was given on July 13 and it prevents the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Inspector General of Police from investigating Akwa Ibom.

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The suit was filed by Uwemedimo Nwoko who is the attorney general on behalf of Akwa Ibom.

The presiding judge of the State High Court, Ikot Ekpene, Justice NFN Ntong ruled that the EFCC, ICPC and the police should not arrest, detain, or investigate “any person or persons whether past or present official in the Akwa Ibom state government without any report of indictment by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, pending the hearing and the determination of the Motion on Notice filed in this suit in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order”.

The judge barred the state accountant general, auditor general, and the state House of Assembly, including five from disclosing information on the state finances to investigators from EFCC and other federal agencies.

Mr. Nwoko in an interview on Friday, July 22 revealed that the state government went to court because EFCC wrote letters to banks requesting documents on state government transactions.

He argued that EFCC is just an agency of the federal government and isn’t empowered by the Nigerian Constitution to investigate the finances of the state and that Akwa Ibom is a federating unit in the Nigerian federation.

“It’s not about whether there’s anything wrong with the accounts of the Akwa Ibom state government! Why should the EFCC look into it? Is the state looking into the federal government account?”

Mr. Nwoko pointed out that other state governments that allowed EFCC to investigate them lack wisdom and courage to challenge the federal government.

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He said: “As the attorney general of Akwa Ibom state, I am setting a precedent.”

The court fixed August 5 for hearing of the Motion on Notice. However, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren said he was unaware of the restraining order.

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