Legal luminary, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an “unlawful organisation” that was “unconstitutionally established.”
Agbakoba made this claim in October 14 letters to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
They are the Chairmen of the Adhoc Committee on the review of the Constitution in both chambers of the National Assembly.
In his letter titled: “Re: Urgent legislative constitutional reforms relating to law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption efforts,” Agbakoba drew the attention of the National Assembly to constitutional issues related to law enforcement agencies and factors inhibiting the government’s objective of abolishing corruption as stated in Section 13 of the Constitution.
He said: “I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established.
“The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly.
“The EFCC is an unlawful organisation.”
Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said he was delighted to note that many states had finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the constitutionality of the EFCC.
“This will put to rest the question relating to the validity of the EFCC.”
The letter to the Deputy Senate President, reads in part: “I write to draw attention to certain constitutional issues on matters related to law enforcement agencies. As you are obviously aware, the fundamental objective of the government is to abolish corruption.
“But from my observation, there is no harmony amongst law enforcement agencies on corruption. They all appear to be working at cross purposes.
“This has been confirmed by the Supreme Court in so many cases. The Supreme Court has consistently sanctioned the EFCC for its conduct and questioned if the EFCC can in fact validly do what it does.
“I will go further to say that I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established.
“The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly. The EFCC is an unlawful organisation.
“I am very delighted to note that many states have finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the constitutionality of the EFCC.”
“This will put to rest the question relating to the validity of the EFCC.
“Whilst we await the decision of the Supreme Court as the final court on the matter, I respectfully request that the Senate convene a public hearing to consider these constitutional issues.
“Such a hearing would provide an invaluable platform for stakeholders to discuss the reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks for law enforcement and anti-corruption, which will meet the stated and laudable objective of the government to abolish corruption as stated in Section 13 of the Constitution.
“I trust that, under your capable leadership, the Senate Constitution Review Committee will give these matters urgent attention in the interest of our nation’s development.”