Court Stops EFCC From Probing Oyo Finances

A 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 financial activities of the Oyo State Government, describing the exercise as speculative and a possible fishing expedition.

The court, presided over by Justice Nkeonye Maha, gave the order while delivering judgment in suit number FHC/IB/CS/61/2025 filed by the Oyo State Government against the anti graft agency.

Justice Maha acknowledged that the EFCC has statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, but ruled that such powers must be exercised within the limits of the Constitution, existing laws and the principles of fair hearing.

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The judge held that the commission’s proposed investigation, particularly the demands contained in its letter dated June 2, 2025, lacked specific allegations of wrongdoing and amounted to a broad inquiry without a defined offence under investigation.

The controversy began after the EFCC wrote to the Oyo State Accountant General requesting details of government contracts, transactions and payments made to contractors from 2021 up to the date of the request.

Following the request, the Oyo State Government reportedly asked the commission to identify the specific contractors, companies or alleged offences being investigated so that relevant documents could be provided, but the EFCC allegedly failed to provide further clarification.

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The state government subsequently approached the court, arguing that the EFCC’s demand was excessive, unreasonable and amounted to an attempt to conduct a blanket investigation into the affairs of the state without a clear allegation of financial crime.

Counsel to the Oyo State Government argued that while the EFCC has powers to investigate economic and financial crimes, those powers cannot override constitutional protections or be used to embark on a general search for possible wrongdoing.

However, the EFCC, through its legal team, defended its action, relying on provisions of the EFCC Act which empower the commission to demand information from individuals, authorities, corporations and companies during investigations.

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In his ruling, Justice Maha set aside the EFCC’s June 2, 2025 letter and held that any request for financial information by the commission must be connected to specific allegations of offences under its mandate.

The court stressed that investigative powers must not be used for speculative purposes, adding that citizens and institutions are entitled to protection from unreasonable demands carried out under the guise of investigation.

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