Justice Nkeonye Maha, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday in suit number FHC/IB/CS/61/2025, held that although the EFCC possesses statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, such powers must be exercised within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.
A Federal High Court in Ibadan has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from proceeding with its proposed investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government, ruling that the anti-graft agency's planned probe was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition.
Justice Nkeonye Maha, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday in suit number FHC/IB/CS/61/2025, held that although the EFCC possesses statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, such powers must be exercised within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.
The court specifically faulted the Commission's proposed investigation, particularly the demands contained in its June 2, 2025 letter to the Oyo State Government, holding that the requests were not anchored on any specific allegation of wrongdoing.
According to Justice Maha, "the EFCC's proposed investigation into Oyo State's finances, particularly the demands contained in its letter of June 2, 2025, was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition."
