The Federal High Court in Ibadan has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from proceeding with its planned investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government, ruling that the anti-graft agency’s request amounted to a speculative “fishing expedition” rather than a lawful investigation based on specific allegations.
Delivering judgement on Wednesday in suit FHC/IB/CS/61/2025 filed by the Oyo State Government, Justice Nkeonye Maha held that although the EFCC possesses statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, such powers must be exercised within the limits of the Constitution and the rule of law.
The court consequently set aside the commission’s letter to the state Accountant General on 2 June 2025, which sought extensive financial records from the Oyo State Government, ruling that any request for information must be reasonable and linked to identifiable allegations of wrongdoing.
Ms Maha held that Section 38 of the EFCC Act empowers the commission to obtain information only for the investigation of offences under the Act and does not authorise speculative or blanket inquiries into government finances.
According to the judgement, the EFCC’s request was too broad and lacked the specificity required to justify such an extensive demand for official records.
