By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has announced his intention to go to court to pray for a declaration on the exact scope of the powers of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Agbakoba’s decision is as a result of his concern that the EFCC often exceeds its powers in the investigation and prosecution of alleged offenders of Nigeria’s criminal laws.
He said that he had held a media conference to express his concerns, which he does occasionally on several national issues.
He said that he felt that the EFCC exceeded its powers in what it considers to be its public duty in the war against corruption in Nigeria.
“The EFCC issued a response stating that I was wrong to take the view that it sometimes acts outside the scope of its powers vested by the EFCC Act.
“The EFCC referred to some cases, but I would say that in a very recent decision, Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN vs The Federal Republic of Nigeria FRN SC/CR/161/2020, the Supreme Court drastically limited the scope of powers of the EFCC, as it recognized that the EFCC being very powerful could not be allowed to run amok.
“I am not a court. Neither is the EFCC. I will proceed to the court for a declaration on the exact scope of powers of the EFCC, especially in relation to states of the Federation. A declaration by a Judicial authority is the most valid process to authenticate if am right or wrong with respect to my position that the EFCC often acts contrary to the law.
“I am not in any way against the EFCC on the fight against corruption. As admitted by the EFCC, I have always supported the fight against corruption.
“My concern is that the EFCC, in its undoubted statutory powers to stamp out corruption in Nigeria must strictly conform to the prescriptions of the law.
“EFCC must not in the fight against corruption, undermine the rule of law. So to the courts, I go,” Agbakoba narrated, stressing that the scope of the powers of EFCC will be tested by the courts.
