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Eligibility: Court Okays Suits Seeking To Sack New EFCC Chairman, Olukoyede
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The Federal High Court has okayed two separate suits seeking to sack the newly appointed chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Both suits were brought before the court by legal practitioners, Mr. Stanley Okawara and Mr. Maxwell Opara.
Whereas the first suit, marked: FHC/KN/CS/280/202, was lodged before the Division of the court in Kano State, the second suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1410/2023, is pending before the Abuja Division.
Already, Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Kano court has fixed October 30 to hear a motion on notice seeking to restrain the EFCC chairman, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate on October 12, from exercising the powers and functions of the office or drawing salaries and emoluments as an occupant of the office, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
Though the plaintiff had through his lawyer, Mr. Jideobi Johnmary, filed an ex-parte application for the court to issue an order of interim injunction against Olukoyede, Justice Liman, however, ordered him to go and put all the defendants on notice.
Cited as defendants in the matter are President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the EFCC.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Nomination Of Olukoyode, Hammajoda As EFCC Chairman, Secretary
The court directed the plaintiff to join both the EFCC chairman, Olukoyede and Secretary of the Commission, Muhammad Hammajoda, as 4th and 5th defendants in the matter, respectively.
Justice Liman further granted permission to the plaintiff to serve a copy of the court process on President Tinubu, by serving same on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Besides, the court okayed substituted service of the suit on the Senate President, through the clerk of the Senate.
It equally abridged the time within which all the defendants should enter appearance and file their respective processes to 15 days.
Specifically, the plaintiff is, among other things, praying the court to determine “whether having regard to the combined provisions of Section 1(1), 1 (2), and (3), 4 and 15(5) of the Amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 2 (1) (a) of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004, the 1st defendant (Tinubu) is possessed of the constitutional powers to appoint anyone who is not a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent to the position of the Chairman of the 3rd Defendant?
READ ALSO: Tinubu Violated EFCC Extant Laws Appointing Olukoyede As Chairman, Group Alleges
“Whether having regard to the combined provisions of Section 1(1), 1 (2), and (3), 4 and 15(5) of the Amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 2 (1) (a) of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004, the 2nd defendant (Akpabio) is possessed of the constitutional powers to receive and consider for screening and ratification by the Nigerian Senate anyone who is not a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent to the position of the Chairman of the 3rd Defendant?”.
Upon determination of the legal questions, the plaintiff wants an order of the court “restraining anyone (appointed by the 1st Defendant) who is not a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent (with 15 years cognate experience) from assuming duties or performing the functions or exercising the powers of the chairman of the 3rd Defendant.
“An order nullifying and setting aside – as a nullity- the appointment and ratification as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, of anyone who is not a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent (with 15 years cognate experience) in the event those appointment and ratification take place before the judgment of this Honourable Court is delivered in this case.”
Meanwhile, in the case pending in Abuja, the plaintiff, Opara, is praying the court to determine; “Whether having regard to Section 2 (1)(a)(i) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, it is unlawful and a void act for a person not statutorily qualified to be appointed by the President Federal Republic of Nigeria to hold the office of the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who, by law, shall be the chief executive and accounting officer of the commission.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairman
“Whether having regard to 2 (1) (a)(iii) of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, the appointment of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission who by Law shall be the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Commission on the 12th day of October, 2023, is void abinitio, conferring or extinguishing no legal rights whatsoever for not possessing atleast 15 years’ cognate experience of law enforcement.
“Whether the sole qualification of being a legal practitioner can equate the to the rank of any government security or law enforcement agent in Nigeria without formal enrolment into same.
“Whether the 4th defendant who is not an active nor a retired security agent or law enforcement agent but a legal practitioner of not less than 22 years’ Post-call and 6 years’ experience of rendering administrative services within the commission is qualified to be appointed as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who by Law shall be the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the commission.
“Whether the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, has unfettered discretion to bluntly disregard the provisions of the law donating and guiding in exercising his power to appoint a chairman for the commission as donated under section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”
He is seeking an order, “setting aside and nullifying the appointment of the 4th Defendant as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the 12th day of October, 2023.
“An order of injunction restraining the 4th Defendant, acting by himself or through his agents and servants, from continuing to hold out, present and or parade himself as chairman of the Economic and Crimes Financial Commission.”
Listed as 1st to 4th defendants in the matter that is yet to be assigned to a judge for hearing, are President Tinubu, the AGF, EFCC and its embattled chairman, Olukoyede.
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians about the recall of certain multivitamins and iron supplements in the U.S.
NAFDAC, via its official Twitter handle, stated that the affected vitamin brand is labelled as CINCINNATI (WKRC).
The agency noted that the supplements were sold across the U.S., including by major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.
The recall was prompted by a “risk of serious injury or death” from poisoning, especially among young children, due to improper packaging.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against VDM’s Inciting Video
NAFDAC cited a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report, which revealed that 60,000 units were affected by the recall.
The recalled products include Daily Prenatal Multi, Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin, and Ultamins Women’s 50+ Multivitamin.
It was discovered that the products lacked child-resistant packaging, making them dangerous if accessed by young children.
“Without child-resistant packaging, children are at risk of fatal poisoning if they ingest these supplements.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics
“Even a few tablets of iron supplements can cause vomiting, stomach pain, low blood pressure, or liver damage in young children,” NAFDAC warned.
In severe cases, NAFDAC said, symptoms may escalate rapidly and could become life-threatening.
All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to monitor and remove the CINCINNATI (WKRC) products from circulation.
Distributors, retailers, healthcare providers, and caregivers are urged to remain vigilant to prevent the use or sale of the recalled items.
NAFDAC advised that any suspected cases of substandard or falsified medicines be reported to the nearest office or via 0800-162-3322, or sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
News
FG Launches Phase 7 Of Kainji Mass Trials Of Terrorist Suspects
Published
9 hours agoon
July 9, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday officially launched Phase 7 of the Kainji Mass Trials of terrorist suspects.
A statement by the strategic communications department of the office of the National Security Adviser ONSA, said “it is part of its continued commitment to combating terrorism, violent extremism, and strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system in line with international best practices”,
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Garba Laka, emphasised that the trials represent Nigeria’s unwavering pursuit of justice and a reaffirmation of its resolve to confront terrorism through lawful and transparent means.
He said, “It is truly encouraging to see the convergence of the Judiciary, law enforcement, legal practitioners, and partners, once again united in purpose and duty.
READ ALSO:FG Launches Passport Front Office For Senior Public Officials
“These trials are a cornerstone of our national commitment to upholding the rule of law while addressing terrorism and violent extremism.”
General Laka noted that Nigeria has recorded significant successes in strengthening its criminal justice capacity to handle terrorism-related offences.
He further highlighted that recent progress in the prosecution of such cases has played a critical role in addressing concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“Indeed, the advancements made through these trials have greatly contributed to Nigeria’s efforts toward exiting the FATF Grey List,” he added.
READ ALSO:Tension As FG Strips FAAN, NCAA, NAMA Of Revenue Collection Powers
On behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, General Laka extended appreciation to the Federal Government, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Justices of the Federal High Court for their professionalism and dedication to justice.
He also acknowledged the valuable support of international partners, investigators, legal teams, and support staff.
Representing the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, commended the collaborative efforts of the ONSA and various local and international stakeholders for their ongoing support and contributions to the trials.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to ensure justice is served to both victims and accused persons within a framework that respects the rule of law and human rights.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has announced a 12-hour restriction on movement on Saturday across the state for the local government election.
He also ordered a massive deployment of personnel across the state.
Jimoh disclosed this in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said the deployment was to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
READ ALSO:Three-storey Building Collapses On Lagos Island, Many Injured
“Consultative Committee on Elections Security in Lagos State and other critical stakeholders in the election, putting into cognisance foremost public interest to enable adequate security, peaceful conduct and safety before, during and after the election, and also to effectively implement the robust security arrangements to protect and safeguard the election, the electorates, LASEIC officials and adhoc staff and electoral processes and other members of public not participating in the election, hereby wishes to announce and inform the general public in Lagos State of total restriction of vehicular movement throughout Lagos State from 3 am on Saturday 12th July, 2025 till 3 pm of same Saturday 12th July, 2025,” the statement read.
He added that elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections.
“The command with other security and safety agencies is working together under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The restriction of vehicular movements will apply to all roads and waterways within the state jurisdiction,” he said.
READ ALSO:Lagos Opens Teacher Recruitment Portal For Two Weeks
He added that police escorts and armed security aides were strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centres.
The measure was to prevent any undue influence or intimidation during the election.
“Police escorts, covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centres are prohibited,” he said.
Jimoh said that only vehicles designated for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vehicles operated by security agencies in the ICCES, would be permitted to operate during the restriction period.
The commissioner added, “All other vehicles, including those belonging to any quasi-security outfit and state security agencies, are barred from movement, as no state-owned security agency is authorised to participate in the election security operations, in line with the electoral act.
READ ALSO:FBI Cracks Down On Lagos Fraudster For Stealing ₦460m In Crypto Meant For Trump’s Inauguration
“The movement restriction will not apply to essential services such as those on medical emergencies and other emergency responders and their workers, the duly accredited officials of the LASIEC and accredited election observers and media practitioners on election coverage accredited by LASIEC.
“These categories of groups and individuals are permitted to carry out their lawful duties during the election period, provided they adhere to all the relevant guidelines and regulations in the Electoral Act.”
He said that all the security agencies personnel and other stakeholders, including the media and election observers accredited by LASEIC for the election, would have and wear their identification tags certified by LASEIC throughout the period of the election.
“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election. Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act,” he said.
NAN
- NAFDAC Warns On Recalled U.S. Supplements
- Protest Rocks Abuja Over Osun LG Polls
- ADC Unveiled In Benue, Woo Gov Alia
- FG Launches Phase 7 Of Kainji Mass Trials Of Terrorist Suspects
- Lagos LG Poll: Police Restrict Movement Saturday
- EFCC Probes Man Nabbed With Undeclared $420,900 At Kano Airport
- Driver Stabs Former Boss To Death In Lagos
- Police Arrest Cultist For Murder, Abduction In Anambra Community
- Police Unveil Operation To Tackle ‘One-chance’ Robberies In FCT
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