Court restrictions prevented EFCC from investigation in 10 states —Olukoyede

THE chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, says that the  Commission is unable to carry out investigations in 10 states in Nigeria, as a result of court orders restraining it.

Olukoyede disclosed this at the ongoing sixth EFCC-NJI capacity-building workshop for justices and judges held at the Conference Hall of the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

He described the workshop theme: ‘Integrating stakeholders in curbing economic and financial crimes,’ as apt.

Although Olukoyede did not disclose the states involved, he, however, lamented that the EFCC’s activities had continued to be impeded by court orders restraining it from carrying out its investigation.

According to him, among the plethora of issues bothering the EFCC are the frequent adjournment of high-profile cases by courts, contempt orders and undue reliance on technical grounds.

He further said a situation where suspects rush to court to obtain restraining orders against the EFCC from arresting them, must be discouraged by courts.

While acknowledging the infallibility of the EFCC, Olukoyede noted that the commission has taken some steps to reform its processes of investigation in accordance with the provisions of the law.

READ ALSO: Rivers crisis: Tell Wike to allow Fubara breathe, Bode George charges Tinubu