The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from proceeding with its planned investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government, describing the anti-graft agency’s request as a “fishing expedition.”
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Oyo State Government, Justice Nkeonye Maha acknowledged the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate financial infractions but emphasized that such powers must be exercised strictly in line with the Constitution and the Rule of Law. The judge noted that the EFCC’s proposed investigation, particularly the demands contained in its letter of June 2, 2025, was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition.
The EFCC had written to the Oyo State Accountant-General demanding copies of all contracts involving the state and details of all transactions and payments made to contractors from 2021 to the date of the letter. The Oyo State Government argued that the request was oppressive, unduly burdensome, and unreasonable given the volume of contracts entered into during the period.
In defence, the EFCC relied on Section 38 of the EFCC Act, which empowers the Commission to demand and receive information from any person, authority, corporation, or company without hindrance.
Justice Maha ruled in favour of the Oyo State Government, set aside the EFCC’s letter, and declared that any request by the Commission must be reasonable and tied to specific allegations. The judge emphasized that Section 38 of the EFCC Act empowers the Commission to demand information only for the investigation of offences under the Act, not for speculative or roving inquiries.