EFCC Lacks Powers To Probe Zamfara State’s Accounts – Court Declares

A Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission does not have the powers to invite (by letters, telephone calls or any other means of communication) serving and past officials of the Zamfara State government for the purpose of explaining how the state’s funds are utilised. 

The court held that the power to audit the public accounts of the state is not vested in the 1st defendant (EFCC) or any other authority, person, body or organisation other than in the Auditor General of Zamfara State. 

EFCC, Politicians And The Game Of Wits

Justice Aminu Bappa Aliyu made this known while delivering judgment on a suit instituted by the Zamfara State government and Attorney General of Zamfara State against the EFCC and the Attorney of the Federation. 

The court also set aside EFCC’s letter of invitation to past and serving officials of the state government dated September 28, 2021 or any other date, noting that such letter, “being ultra vires the powers of the 1st Defendant”, was null and void and of no effect whatsoever. 

These and other orders were made after the court had listened to submissions of the plaintiffs’ counsel, Abdulfathu Shehu and counsel to the defendants, Adebisi Adeniyi and P. A. Attah, in the Writ of Summons suit, dated and filed on November 16, 2021 and marked: FHC/GS/CS/30/2021.