Court Restrain EFCC From Investigating Oyo State Finances, Faults ‘Fishing Expedition’

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from proceeding with its planned investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government.

Delivering judgment on Thursday in a suit filed by the state government, Justice Nkeonye Maha acknowledged the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, but stressed that such powers must be exercised in accordance with the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

The judge described the Commission’s proposed probe, contained in a letter dated June 2, 2025, as “speculative” and an attempt at a “fishing expedition.” She held that the constitutional right of the plaintiffs to fair hearing could not be violated under the guise of investigation.

In the letter, the EFCC had requested from the Oyo State Accountant-General copies of all contracts involving the state and details of all transactions and payments made to contractors from 2021 to the date of the letter.

Counsel to the Oyo State Government, the Attorney General, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, argued that the request covering several years was oppressive, unduly burdensome, and unreasonable considering the volume of contracts awarded within the period.

Opposing the suit, EFCC counsel, I.G. Ojibor with S. Adamu, cited Section 38 of the EFCC Act, 2004, which empowers the Commission to demand information from any person or authority without hindrance. He submitted that the provision entitled the EFCC to conduct a blanket investigation into the state’s finances.

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In its ruling, the court set aside the EFCC’s letter of June 2, 2025. Justice Maha ruled that any request by the Commission must be reasonable and linked to specific allegations.

The Cable reports that the judge further clarified that Section 38 of the EFCC Act only empowers the Commission to demand information for the investigation of offences under the Act, not for speculative or roving inquiries.