Supreme Court Rejects Request to Declare EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU Illegal

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Kogi State and 18 other states seeking to declare the operations of three federal anti-corruption agencies the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) illegal.  

The states, in their submission, claimed that the establishment and functioning of the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU by the Federal Government violated constitutional provisions. They argued that matters of law enforcement and anti-corruption should be left to state governments or specific agencies established within the constitutional framework.

The states also pointed to perceived overreach by these agencies, alleging that their activities infringed on the powers of state governments, particularly in managing financial transactions and law enforcement within their territories.

The Supreme Court dismissed the case, affirming that the Federal Government had the constitutional authority to create agencies tasked with addressing corruption, fraud, and other financial crimes. The court highlighted the need for a unified approach to fighting corruption, a scourge that undermines Nigeria’s economy and global reputation.

The justices also ruled that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient legal grounds to challenge the agencies’ existence or operations. The court noted that anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU are vital in safeguarding the nation’s financial integrity and promoting good governance.