ABUJA — Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acted within its statutory powers by placing restrictions on the Osun State Government’s account.
Falana, who spoke on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the commission could place a Post No Debit (PND) restriction on a state government account, provided it obtained a court order within the period prescribed by law.
According to him, the legal authority of the EFCC to impose such restrictions had already been affirmed by the courts.
He cited a 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal in a case involving the Benue State Government and the EFCC, saying the decision established that the commission could impose a PND restriction for up to 72 hours pending an application to court.
“Well, as far as the law is concerned, the EFCC has not acted illegally. As a matter of fact, that came out in the statement of the President: ‘I’m not questioning your mandate and the exercise of your power. However, I’m embarrassed,’” Falana said.
