Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has voiced strong opposition to the move by 16 Nigerian states to abolish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
These states, including Kogi, Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger, have collectively filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the laws that established these anti-corruption agencies.
The Supreme Court is set to hear this case on October 22.
Falana, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasized the importance of these institutions in Nigeria's fight against corruption. He stated, “For me, the ICPC and the EFCC like the Code of Conduct Tribunal, have come to stay.
What we should be demanding are measures to make these institutions autonomous, not under the control of any government.”
The 16 states argue that the constitution is the supreme law, and any legislation inconsistent with it should be deemed null and void.
However, Falana counters this by advocating for the independence of these bodies from governmental influence, asserting, “They are common agencies to fight economic crimes in our country, to fight financial crimes in our country, to fight corruption in our country.”
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