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Court to determine validity of Olukoyede’s appointment as EFCC chairman, June 19
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned till June 19, for judgment in a suit seeking the sack of Mr Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).
The judge fixed the date for judgment after lawyers representing parties adopted and argued their briefs of arguments for and against the suit.
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr Victor Opatola, had last year dragged President Bola Tinubu to court, over the appointment of Olukoyede.
Opatola, in the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is specifically challenging the validity of his appointment on the grounds that he did not meet the years of service required by law for the office of chairman of the anti-graft agency.
The President of Nigeria, National Assembly, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Olukoyede are first to fourth respondents respectively, in the suit marked: HC/ABJ/CS/1403/2023.
Adopting his brief on Thursday, Opatola urged the court to discountenance and dismiss the objections and prayers of the defendants and grant the reliefs sought in the suit.
However, the respondents argued otherwise, praying the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Olumide Fusika (SAN, challenged the legal authority of the plaintiff to institute the suit in the first place.
Besides, Olukoyede claimed that he is eminently qualified to occupy the office of EFCC Chairman, having served as Secretary of the Commission, a grade Level 17 position, which is higher than the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, a grade Level 14 position.
He accordingly asked the court to dismiss the suit.
After listening to all parties in the suit, Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned to June 19 for judgment.
Amongst the issues Opatola raised for determination are: Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2 (1) (a) of the EFCC Act 2004, Olukoyede, who has not fulfilled the conditions of the Act can be validly appointed as EFCC chairman.
He also asked the court to determine whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) of the EFCC Act 2004, the person appointed to the office of the chairman of the EFCC can be said to be above the rank of assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent.
“Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) (iii) of the EFCC Act 2004, the interpretation of subsection (iii) should be read disjunctively of subsection (ii) of the act in a manner that Olukoyede, who was appointed to the office of the chairman of EFCC can be said to have 15 Years of cognate experience in any field outside the government security or law enforcement agency.
“Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act 2004, the National Assembly can validly confirm the appointment of Olukoyede who has not fulfilled the provisions of the law.”
Opatola also prayed the court to make further declarations upon the determination of the above questions.
“A declaration that pursuant to Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act, the appointment of Olukoyede to the office of the EFCC chairman is illegal and void.
“A declaration that pursuant to Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act, any confirmation of the 4th defendant’s appointment made by the National Assembly is void and of no legal consequence.”
The counsel also asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Assembly from confirming the appointment of the fourth respondent.
He further prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the fourth defendant from holding office as chairman of EFCC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned political parties that any primary election conducted outside the commission’s May 30 deadline remains invalid, unless a higher court overturns an earlier Federal High Court judgment on the matter.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, made the disclosure in a chat with The Punch.
He advised that political parties would have to continue to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 pending the determination of the commission’s appeal before the Court of Appeal.
Haruna stated: “Obviously, for now, any primary held outside INEC’s May 30 deadline will be invalid unless the Court of Appeal overturns the Federal High Court judgment in INEC’s appeal against the ruling that the timetable breached the Electoral Act 2026 in some of its provisions.
“In other words, for now, the political parties are better advised to be guided by the existing Act.”
The INEC commissioner’s position follows the ongoing legal dispute over the commission’s timetable for party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general election.
A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment, had nullified aspects of INEC’s electoral guidelines and schedule put in place for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Umar, delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, held that the commission could not lawfully shorten the timelines provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
The court also held that INEC could not abridge timelines already provided under the Electoral Act 2026, noting that the electoral body acted outside its statutory powers under the Electoral Act 2026.
process would be invalid unless it had the consent of all parties involved.
Fagge stressed that no aspirant should be denied a fair opportunity due to procedural lapses or electoral irregularities.
Haruna’s latest clarification on the INEC deadline, however, suggested that, pending the outcome of the appeal, political parties risk having any primary election conducted outside the May 30 deadline.
The Anambra State Government has arraigned eight clerics before a court over allegations of fraudulent religious activities and violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law of 2025, marking a significant step in Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s campaign against what he describes as spiritual deception in the state.
The accused persons were brought before the court on Thursday following a crackdown launched by the state government against individuals allegedly involved in exploiting citizens through false religious claims and deceptive practices.
The prosecution is being led by the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, according to reports.
Those arraigned include Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu, Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma, and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama.
The court proceedings follow a series of investigations and enforcement actions initiated by the administration of Chukwuma Soludo, who has repeatedly expressed concern over the activities of individuals allegedly using religion as a tool to defraud members of the public.
Speaking recently in Awka, the governor disclosed that some of the suspects had already been taken into custody and were cooperating with investigators. He claimed that preliminary findings and confessions had provided useful insights into the operations of the alleged religious fraud network.
Soludo accused the suspects of promoting what he termed “salvation without the cross,” a phrase he used to describe teachings and practices that allegedly promise instant prosperity and miracles while taking advantage of vulnerable people seeking solutions to personal and economic challenges.
According to the governor, the prosecution forms part of his administration’s broader effort to build a “New Anambra” anchored on integrity, accountability, and social responsibility. He argued that tackling fraudulent religious activities is essential to protecting citizens and strengthening the moral foundation of society.
The governor also called on religious and political leaders to demonstrate courage and commitment to genuine societal transformation. He stressed that sustainable development can only be achieved when leaders prioritize honesty, hard work, and ethical values over the pursuit of quick wealth and personal gain.
The case is expected to test the implementation of the Anambra Homeland Security Law and could set a precedent for future actions against individuals accused of using religion as a cover for criminal activities in the state.
The court is expected to continue hearing the matter in the coming weeks.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday released a new list of the top 10 most wanted fraudsters in America.
The individuals are wanted in connection with multibillion-dollar fraud cases.
In a statement on Thursday, the FBI “announced the launch of its Most Wanted Fraudsters List, a new wanted list dedicated to publicly identifying individuals charged with defrauding the American people.”
list of fraudsters wanted for multibillion-dollar fraud
The released list included Herbert Kimble, who is wanted for healthcare fraud of $1.2 billion, and Michael Lizaso Marasigan, who is wanted for conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business involving $34 million.
Rodney Dean Allen is wanted for wire fraud of $7.3 million; Christopher Burns is wanted for mail fraud involving $10 million; John Michael Dimitrion is wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million, while Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion is also wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million.
Said Abdullahi Ereg is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $4.2 million, while Elaine Angene Escoe is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $32 million.
The FBI also offers a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths of longtime friends Carnell E. Sledge and Katherine C. Brown.
Kash Patel, FBI Director, at a press conference on Thursday said, “I want all Americans to take a look at these most wanted individuals and look at the amounts, the tens of millions and billions of dollars in fraud, that they have decimated our societies from.”
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday released a new list of the top 10 most wanted fraudsters in America. The individuals are wanted in connection with multibillion-dollar fraud cases.
In a statement on Thursday, the FBI “announced the launch of its Most Wanted Fraudsters List, a new wanted list dedicated to publicly identifying individuals charged with defrauding the American people.”
list of fraudsters wanted for multibillion-dollar fraud
The released list included Herbert Kimble, who is wanted for healthcare fraud of $1.2 billion, and Michael Lizaso Marasigan, who is wanted for conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business involving $34 million.
Rodney Dean Allen is wanted for wire fraud of $7.3 million; Christopher Burns is wanted for mail fraud involving $10 million; John Michael Dimitrion is wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million, while Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion is also wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million.
Said Abdullahi Ereg is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $4.2 million, while Elaine Angene Escoe is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $32 million.
The FBI also offers a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths of longtime friends Carnell E. Sledge and Katherine C. Brown.
Kash Patel, FBI Director, at a press conference on Thursday said, “I want all Americans to take a look at these most wanted individuals and look at the amounts, the tens of millions and billions of dollars in fraud, that they have decimated our societies from.”
2027: INEC nullifies primaries held after May 30
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