Femi Falana, a human rights activist and lawyer, don write letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to oppose the view of Dr Olisa Agbakoba, the ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association, on the legal status of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the letter dated 17 October 2024, Falana disagree with Agbakoba’s assertion that the EFCC is an “unlawful organisation” because it was “unconstitutionally established.” Falana say that Agbakoba no cite any case to substantiate his claim that the Supreme Court had criticised the EFCC’s activities and existence.
Falana point out that the Supreme Court has consistently supported the efforts of both the ICPC and EFCC in combating corruption. He mention a case where the Supreme Court uphold the EFCC’s powers, saying that in cooperative federalism practised in Nigeria, the EFCC is a common agency empowered to investigate and prosecute offenders for both federal and state economic and financial crimes.
Falana also criticise some state governments for seeking to frustrate the Federal Government’s anti-graft initiatives instead of supporting these agencies. He urge the National Assembly to seize the opportunity provided by the ongoing Constitution amendment to resolve questions about the legality of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission by entrenching both in the Constitution.
