- A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Ola Olukoyede as EFCC Chairman, citing the plaintiff’s lack of legal standing.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that a lawsuit seeking the removal of Ola Olukoyede from his position as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been rejected. Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Wednesday that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to bring the case forward.
Abuja-based lawyer Victor Opatola had initiated the lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Olukoyede to lead the EFCC. Opatola questioned the legality of Olukoyede’s appointment, arguing that he did not meet the mandatory years of experience required for the role.
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The case, identified as HC/ABJ/CS/1403/2023, listed the President of Nigeria, the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and Olukoyede as the first to fourth defendants. The defendants requested the court to dismiss the case for lacking substance.
Olukoyede, represented by Olumide Fusika, SAN, challenged the plaintiff’s legal authority to file the suit during the last adjourned hearing.
Furthermore, Olukoyede argued that he is perfectly suited for the role of EFCC Chairman, having previously held the position of secretary at the commission, which is a Level 17 role, surpassing the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, a Level 14 position.
He thus requested the court to throw out the case.
Opatola, among others, sought clarification on whether, according to the accurate interpretation and application of Section 2 (1) (a) of the EFCC Act 2004, Olukoyede, who has not met the Act’s requirements, can be lawfully appointed as EFCC Chairman.
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He also inquired whether, according to the accurate interpretation and application of Section 2 (1) (a) of the EFCC Act 2004, the individual holding the position of EFCC Chairman can be considered to be above the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police or its equivalent.
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