Ogun Clarifies Stance: Not Part Of EFCC Legality Challenge, Says Attorney General

Ogun State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), has issued a statement refuting claims that the state is involved in a Supreme Court case challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Despite previous clarifications, some media outlets continue to report Ogun as part of the states contesting the EFCC’s constitutionality, prompting Ogungbade to reiterate the state’s position.

“We don’t have a suit against the EFCC. We never filed any action challenging its constitutionality,” Ogungbade emphasized. He acknowledged that while some states have opted to question the agency’s legal standing, Ogun has chosen not to participate in that litigation. He urged media outlets to correct any misleading information and refer to the state’s earlier statement clarifying its stance.

The misunderstanding arose after several states, led by Kogi, filed a case at the Supreme Court questioning the EFCC’s constitutionality. However, Ogun’s government, through Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, previously stated that the matter of the EFCC’s legality was already settled by the Supreme Court, and Ogun saw no reason to revisit it.

Ogungbade explained that Ogun’s actual suit, SC/CV/912/2024, focuses solely on challenging the 2023 guidelines issued by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). These guidelines, according to Ogun, interfere with the state’s economic interests and those of its local governments, but do not dispute the EFCC’s role.

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding states joining and withdrawing from the EFCC case remains active. Recently, five states withdrew their involvement, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia even suspended the state’s Attorney General for joining the case without his approval. The Supreme Court has since reserved judgment on the case.