EFCC Wins Legal Battle as Court Throws Out Akwa Ibom Government’s Suit
The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the statutory powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the state government’s financial activities.
The suit, filed by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice at the time, Uwemedimo Nwoko, was dismissed by Justice M.A. Onyetenu on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The judge based his decision on a preliminary objection filed by the EFCC’s legal team, which challenged the competence of the case.
The dispute dates back to 2016, when some Akwa Ibom indigenes petitioned the commission over allegations that state resources were being diverted from their intended purposes of public welfare and development.
Following the petition, the EFCC launched an investigation and invited some government officials for questioning. The officials, however, challenged the commission’s actions through the state Attorney-General.
The legal battle first reached the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene before a separate suit was instituted at the Federal High Court to challenge the EFCC’s authority to investigate the state government’s financial dealings.
As part of the proceedings, the late Justice F.O. Riman granted an interim order on July 6, 2016, restraining the EFCC and other federal agencies from taking further action pending the determination of the case.
The restraining order was subsequently used to challenge efforts by the commission to invite state officials for questioning.
An appeal against the order did not succeed, as the Court of Appeal directed the parties to return to the trial court and await the outcome of the substantive matter.
The EFCC’s counsel, Joshua Abolarin, subsequently filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the federal suit was incompetent because a similar case remained pending before the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene.
Delivering his ruling on October 8, Justice Onyetenu upheld the commission’s objection and dismissed the suit.
The decision represents a major legal development in the longstanding dispute between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the EFCC over the commission’s investigative jurisdiction.
