Court Bars EFCC From Investigating Oyo State Government Finances

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has restrained the EFCC from proceeding with its planned investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Oyo State Government, Justice Nkeonye Maha acknowledged the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate financial infractions and crimes but emphasized that such powers must be exercised strictly in line with the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

According to the judge, the EFCC’s proposed investigation into Oyo State’s finances, particularly the demands contained in its letter of 2 June 2025, was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition. The judge noted that the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs to fair hearing could not be trampled upon under the guise of investigation.

The EFCC had on 2 June 2025 written to the Oyo State Accountant-General, demanding, among other things, copies of all contracts involving the state and details of all transactions and payments made to contractors from 2021 to the date of the letter.

The Oyo State Government argued through its counsel, led by the Attorney General, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, that the EFCC’s request, covering several years, was oppressive, unduly burdensome, and unreasonable given the volume of contracts entered into during the period.

In defence, EFCC counsel I.G. Ojibor, leading S. Adamu, relied on Section 38 of the EFCC Act (2004), which empowers the Commission to demand and receive information from any person, authority, corporation, or company without hindrance. He argued that this provision entitled the EFCC to conduct a blanket investigation into the state’s finances.

In conclusion, Justice Maha ruled in favour of the Oyo State Government, set aside the EFCC’s letter dated 2 June 2025, and declared that any request by the Commission must be reasonable and tied to specific allegations. The judge emphasized that Section 38 of the EFCC Act empowers the Commission to demand information only for the investigation of offences under the Act, not for speculative or roving inquiries.