By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how the judgement of the Supreme Court which dismissed the suit challenging the constitutionality of the act establishing the agency has strengthened the commission.
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday when a delegation of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) paid him a courtesy visit.
Roba Sharamo, IDEA’s regional director for Africa and West Asia, led the delegation to the EFCC headquarters.
The EFCC boss stressed that the legal suit turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the commission as it has given its activities legal backing and made it stronger.
“I want to let you know that we are more solid now than ever before,” the EFCC chairman said.
“You are aware that 19 governors took us to court. They went to court, and the judgment that was given makes us stronger than ever before.
“The supreme court justices gave it to them and reminded them that the supreme court has spoken on this matter and given judgment.
“So why are you wasting your states’ resources on it? Why are you wasting the time of this court by bringing this application to us again?
“Number one, they said that the EFCC has power over federal agencies, state agencies, and local government agencies.
“Number two, they said, where the EFCC is working, it has the right to cover the field. It is what we call the doctrine of covering the field in Nigeria.
“It’s a legal doctrine. It’s a principle that says that where a federal agency has covered the field, no state or local government agency has the right to compete with it.
“In other words, wherever the EFCC is operating, state or local government agencies don’t even have the power to meddle.” Olukoyede added.
Olukoyede also emphasised that the commission has powers to investigate the finances and activities of serving governors.
He said, “The only thing you can’t do is prosecute. You have to wait until they leave office when they don’t have immunity anymore,” he added.
“They also warned the people who have been using the instrumentality of the state to shield themselves from justice to desist from it.
“The supreme court has spoken, and it has a big impact. We are going out to work without any further inhibition.”
