A Federal High Court in Ibadan has prohibited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from moving forward with its intended probe into the financial dealings of the Oyo State Government, deeming the effort as speculative.
Justice Nkeonye Maha announced the verdict in response to a lawsuit initiated by the Oyo State Government, which contested an EFCC letter dated June 2, 2025, that sought details on all state contracts and payments made to contractors from 2021 to 2025.
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The court recognized the EFCC’s constitutional authority to investigate financial offenses but maintained that such powers must align with legal guidelines and cannot be utilized for vague or unfounded probes.
The judge characterized the Commission’s request as a “fishing expedition,” noting the absence of any specified contractors, companies, transactions, or allegations of misconduct. The court further emphasized that the right to a fair hearing must be upheld during any investigation.
The Oyo State Government informed the court that it had requested the EFCC to clarify the contractors or transactions involved in the investigation to enable them to provide the necessary documents. After receiving no clarification, the state sought legal interpretation.
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Counsel for the state, represented by Attorney General Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, argued that the widespread request for records spanning several years was excessive, burdensome, and lacked any specific allegations.
In defense, the EFCC, represented by counsel I.G. Ojibor, asserted that Section 38 of the EFCC Act permits the Commission to request information from individuals, authorities, or institutions during its investigations.
In her ruling, Justice Maha annulled the EFCC’s letter from June 2, 2025, stating that while the Commission is entitled to seek information, such requests must be reasonable, based on identifiable claims, and tied directly to investigations under the EFCC Act.
