- Withdrawal from Suit: Enugu State has withdrawn from the suit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit guidelines before the Supreme Court.
- Sixth State to Withdraw: Enugu State is the sixth state to withdraw from the suit, following Anambra, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Benue, and Jigawa.
- Reasons for Withdrawal: The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kingsley Udeh, filed an application to discontinue participation in the suit.
- Remaining Plaintiffs: Only 13 states are left to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.
- Case Background: The suit contests the laws establishing the EFCC and NFIU guidelines, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dr. Joseph Nwobike vs. the Federal Republic of Nigeria was not followed.
Enugu State’s decision to withdraw from the suit comes after the state’s Attorney General, Kingsley Udeh, filed an application to discontinue participation in the suit ¹. This move follows the withdrawals of Anambra, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Benue, and Jigawa states. The remaining 13 states will continue to pursue the matter, arguing that the EFCC and NFIU guidelines are illegal due to non-compliance with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution.
The plaintiffs claim that the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dr. Joseph Nwobike vs. the Federal Republic of Nigeria supports their argument that laws like the EFCC Act cannot be applied to states that did not approve of it. However, with Enugu State’s withdrawal, the dynamics of the case may change. The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the suit to a date it would communicate to the plaintiffs.
