The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from proceeding with its planned investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government.
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Delivering judgment, Justice Nkeonye Maha affirmed that while the EFCC has statutory powers to investigate financial crimes and infractions, such powers must be exercised in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
The court held that the Commission’s proposed investigation, particularly the demands contained in its letter dated June 2, 2025, was speculative and amounted to a “fishing expedition.” Justice Maha ruled that the constitutional right of the Oyo State Government to fair hearing could not be infringed under the guise of an investigation.
The disputed letter, addressed to the Oyo State Accountant-General, requested copies of all contracts awarded by the state government and details of payments made to contractors from 2021 to June 2, 2025.
Counsel to the Oyo State Government, led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, argued that the EFCC’s sweeping request was oppressive, unreasonable, and unduly burdensome considering the volume of contracts executed within the period.
However, counsel for the EFCC, I.G. Ojibor, leading S. Adamu, relied on Section 38 of the EFCC Act, 2004, contending that the Commission was empowered to request information from any person, authority, corporation, or company without obstruction, and that this authority extended to investigating the state’s financial activities.
In its ruling, the court rejected the EFCC’s position, set aside the Commission’s June 2, 2025 letter, and declared that any request for information must be reasonable and linked to specific allegations of wrongdoing.
Justice Maha further clarified that Section 38 of the EFCC Act authorizes the Commission to obtain information solely for the purpose of investigating offences under the Act, and does not permit speculative or blanket inquiries without identifiable grounds.
