₦airaland Forum

– 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.

READ ALSO: What we did with recovered loot: EFCC gives breakdown

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.

READ ALSO: Anger over APC’s alleged plot to impeach Fayose

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.

https://www.naij.com/901703-efcc-suffers-humiliating-setback-state-judge-issues-warning.html

Why am I not surprised?

Akwa Ibom Is a PDP State,and where there is PDP there is corruption. The EFCC is empowered by the Constitution,to check into anything regarding any dubious financial dealings in Nigeria,and this "Baby Lawyer" Attorney General should know better.

The Financial Books of the State, should be looked at to the days of Akpabio.

Now to this Judge.

It is high time the Judiciary is sanitized,from all these Judiciary "Judge's " activists.

We have been seeing this few days,who feel they should frustrate the efforts of the Government that is trying to make this Country work.

The Akpabio's slave who calls himself a governor will not let them do their job so that he can keep feeding on pensioners money and spread propaganda up and down. Mtchew

HungerBAD:
Why am I not surprised?

Akwa Ibom Is a PDP State,and where there is PDP there is corruption. The EFCC is empowered by the Constitution,to check into anything regarding any dubious financial dealings in Nigeria,and this "Baby Lawyer" Attorney General should know better.

The Financial Books of the State, should be looked at to the days of Akpabio.

Now to this Judge.

It is high time the Judiciary is sanitized,from all these Judiciary "Judge's " activist we have been seeing this few days,who feel they should frustrate the efforts of the Government that is trying to make this Country work.

You've said it all man.

They won't investigate Osun where aragbesola has rendered his people beggars,the will disturb a working state like Akwa ibom.

After Fayose bank account freezing, he started shaking
First, he made an attempt on the Senate to give principal officers immunity, he failed
Next, he went to the fox eyes chief in the dead of the night to plea for mercy or cross over to the zombie coven, it was leaked
Now, he has gone to his home town to get a judge that will do the man Friday job.

Who knows his name?

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”.

Dividends of democracy playing out here. Thank God Goodluck Jonathan further boosted the democracy that has been sustained by PDP. So we don't av agencies doing what they like and at will.


I love Democracy. If u love it please support with ur likes.

These are the same pple that want a state police.
Under the present crop of criminals,if states are granted state policing,then the impunity and crass abuse of powers by state governors we are witnessing now wud be child's play.

doctokwus:
These are the same pple that want a state police.
Under the present crop of criminals,if states are granted state policing,then the impunity and crass abuse of powers by state governors we are witnessing now wud be child's play.

I still believe in state police.

The federal police will still have jurisdiction over the state police, any report of abuse will be handled by the feds. If you feel shortchanged by the state police you go to the feds,

Not the situation now where a man will have community issue and they will take it to one hausa policeman to handle when he doesn't know the culture and mindset of the indigenes.

Let's just decentralized things in this country and move only contentious or national matters to the center

mazichika:
They won't investigate Osun where aragbesola has rendered his people beggars,the will disturb a working state like Akwa ibom.

Why investigate a poor state when they can investigate the richest state in the country?

Ok
Why is EFCC looking into an account of a state that did not receive a dime as bailout fund, a state that is not owing a single month salary?

Zamfara state got 11bn to pay workers salary but refused, the people through the house of assembly made an attempt to ask questions. But the DSS from abuja came calling and instead they were arrested

Nigeria is so complex.