BREAKING: Supreme Court reserves judgement on states’ suit challenging EFCC constitutionality

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a suit filed by 16 state governments challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other similar bodies.

During Tuesday’s hearing, a seven-member panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, announced the decision to reserve the matter after hearing the arguments presented by the parties involved.

The suit, originally initiated by the Kogi State Government through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, saw several other states seeking to join as co-plaintiffs.

These states include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger.

However, during the proceedings, the Attorneys General of Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi announced their withdrawal from the case, a move that was granted by the court.

The case, marked SC/CV/178/2023, centers on the constitutionality of the EFCC’s establishment and operations, with the states questioning whether the agency was validly created under the law.

The ruling from the Supreme Court is eagerly awaited as it could have significant implications for anti-corruption efforts in the country.