Enugu State has decided to withdraw from a legal case challenging the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit guidelines. Initially filed by the Kogi State Government in 2023, with 18 other states including Enugu joining later, the suit has seen several states withdrawing their participation.
Enugu State became the sixth state to withdraw from the suit, following Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi. Benue and Jigawa also filed for withdrawal. The Benue State Governor suspended the state’s Attorney General for not consulting before joining the suit, while Ogun State clarified it was seeking an interpretation of the NFIU guidelines, not challenging the EFCC’s constitutionality.
The Supreme Court, after a hearing, reserved judgment in the suit, with Enugu State officially submitting its withdrawal application. With six states now withdrawn, 13 states remain involved in the case. The plaintiffs argue that the incorporation of the UN Convention against Corruption into the EFCC Establishment Act did not follow constitutional procedures, making institutions established under such circumstances potentially illegal.