Olanipekun Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has revealed that the agency's efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria are being hampered by court restrictions in 10 states. These court orders have restrained the EFCC from carrying out its investigations, hindering the commission’s fight against economic and financial crimes.
Olukoyede made this disclosure during the sixth EFCC NJI capacity building workshop for justices and judges, held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja. The workshop, themed Integrating Stakeholders in Curbing Economic and Financial Crimes, highlighted the need for judicial cooperation to support the EFCC’s mandate.
Despite not naming the affected states, Olukoyede expressed concern about how frequent court rulings have restricted the EFCC’s operations. These rulings often result from suspects obtaining restraining orders, preventing the commission from arresting or investigating them. He noted that such tactics not only delay justice but also undermine the agency's effectiveness.
Olukoyede further identified other legal hurdles facing the EFCC, including frequent adjournments of high-profile cases, contempt orders, and the judiciary's tendency to rely on technical grounds to impede progress. He urged the courts to discourage the misuse of restraining orders that obstruct investigations, emphasizing that judicial collaboration is crucial in tackling financial crimes.
Although Olukoyede acknowledged the challenges facing the EFCC, he assured that the commission is actively reforming its investigative processes to comply with legal provisions. He reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to upholding the law while ensuring that its efforts to tackle corruption are not derailed by legal obstacles.
This revelation underscores the complexities involved in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight and highlights the need for a stronger partnership between judicial bodies and law enforcement agencies to combat the nation’s deep rooted corruption.