Court Dismisses Akwa Ibom Government’s Suit Challenging EFCC’s Investigative Powers
The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has dismissed a suit filed by the state government challenging the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate its financial activities.
Justice M.A. Onyetenu delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 8, 2026, upholding a preliminary objection filed by the EFCC’s legal team.
The case originated in 2016 after some indigenes of Akwa Ibom petitioned the EFCC over alleged diversion of state resources for purposes other than public welfare and development.
Following the petition, the commission commenced an investigation and invited some government officials for questioning. However, instead of honouring the invitation, the officials approached the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene through the state’s Attorney-General, challenging the commission’s actions.
The Attorney-General at the time, Uwemedimo Nwoko, also instituted a separate suit at the Federal High Court, questioning the EFCC’s authority to investigate the financial activities of the state government.
On July 6, 2016, the late Justice F.O. Riman granted an interim restraining order against the EFCC and other federal government agencies pending the determination of the case.
The order was subsequently relied upon to challenge the commission’s attempts to invite state officials for questioning. However, an appeal against the restraining order was unsuccessful, with the Court of Appeal directing the parties to return to the trial court and await the determination of the substantive suit.
In response, the EFCC, through its counsel, Joshua Abolarin, filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the federal suit.
The commission argued that a similar case instituted before the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene was still pending when the federal suit was filed.
In his ruling on October 8, Justice Onyetenu upheld the EFCC’s objection and dismissed the entire suit.
The judgment marks a significant development in the prolonged legal dispute over the commission’s authority to investigate the financial activities of the Akwa Ibom State Government.
