‘S/Court affirmation of EFCC’s powers is victory for anti-graft war’

The Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the constitutional power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute suspects of graft at federal and state levels is a major victory for the anti-corruption war, the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has said.  The apex court in a unanimous judgment […]

The Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the constitutional power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute suspects of graft at federal and state levels is a major victory for the anti-corruption war, the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has said. 

The apex court in a unanimous judgment on Friday held that the 22-count charge by the EFCC against a former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema were competent, adding that the anti-graft agency was empowered by its Establishment Act to investigate and prosecute any person accused of corruption.

Reacting to the judgment, Obla said the recent rulings of the Supreme Court have demonstrated that there is no hiding place for looters of the treasury and those who abuse public trust.

“The judgment is a major victory for the war against corruption of the present administration. It has also reaffirmed the progressive and activism stance of the Supreme Court in recent times concerning reform of the administration of criminal justice in the country, whose slow pace and provision of a sort of refuge and umbrage for politically exposed criminal suspects  to escape justice has undermined the war against corruption initiated by the present administration,” he said.

Obla, who is also the Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), said, “it has been of great concern to Nigerians who were worried that those who abuse their trust and loot resources budgeted for social infrastructure were rarely brought to account.”

He said it is therefore commendable that the Justices of the Supreme Court especially Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen are taking great strides and partnering with the Federal Government to ensure that the rule of law holds sway in the country.