S/Court reserves judgment in suit by some states against EFCC legality

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

The Supreme Court, Tuesday, reserved judgment in the suit filed by some 16 states governors, challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two others.
A seven-man panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, reserved Judgment after the states made the submissions in the suit.
At the resumed sitting, Tuesday, the Attorneys Generals of Anambra, Adamawa and Ebonyi state announced their withdrawal from the suit, as Taraba, Imo and Osun sought to be joined.
Reacting, the Attorney General of the Federation(AGF), Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who is the defendant in the suit however did not object to the their withdrawal.
The AG of Kogi State, in its argument, through its council, Abdulwahab Mohammed, however argued that the Supreme Court, had earlier givens a decision that it was a United Nations Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting the law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.
They argued that in bringing a convention into Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.
He then urged the court to allow the suit and award heavy cost in favour of the plaintiffs.
Fagbemi in his submission while urging the apex court to dismiss the suit, said, section 15 sub section 5 says the state must abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, as the implication of granting the relief sought by the plaintiff is that the public will say the Supreme Court is not fighting corruption.
After listening to the submission of all the lawyers, the apex court reserved the matter for Judgment.
Meanwhile the attorney general of Nasarawa states says they are in the suit to challenge the restrictions placed by NFIU on State withdrawals.
The Kogi State AG had in the suit sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as sole defendant.