The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled February 22, 2024, as the hearing date for the suit challenging the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Obiora Egwuatu made this announcement after all parties involved agreed that the date was suitable for the proceedings.
Mr. Victor Opatola, the plaintiff and an Abuja-based lawyer representing himself, informed the court that he had received preliminary objections to the suit from the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation. However, he noted that he had not yet received any processes from the National Assembly (NASS) and the EFCC chairman.
Representing NASS, Mr. Israel Obaniyi explained that his team received the information only on Tuesday and assured the court that he would respond after examining the brief. The EFCC lawyer, Mr. R.O Adakole, also pledged to organize his response before the next adjourned date.
The suit, brought by Victor Opatola, challenges the federal government, NASS, and the Attorney-General over the alleged illegal appointment of Ola Olukoyede as the EFCC Chairman. Opatola questions the validity of Olukoyede’s appointment and seeks the court’s determination on whether, based on the EFCC Act 2004, Olukoyede, who has not fulfilled the conditions of the Act, can be validly appointed as the EFCC chairman. Additionally, the court will consider whether the appointee can be above the rank of assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent, as stipulated in the EFCC Act 2004.
