Olukoyede: Court restrictions prevent the EFCC from conducting investigations in ten states.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, has stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is unable to conduct investigations in ten states in Nigeria due to court orders limiting it.

Olukoyede made the revelation at the 6th EFCC-NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, which is currently taking place at the National Judicial Institute’s Conference Hall in Abuja.

The EFCC Chair deemed the workshop theme, “Integrating Stakeholders in Curbing Economic and Financial Crimes,” appropriate.

Olukoyede stated that court orders prohibiting the EFCC from completing its probe have continued to impede its operations, despite the fact that he did not name the states implicated.

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

He added that courts should discourage suspects from rushing to court to obtain restraining orders to prevent the EFCC from arresting them.

While conceding the EFCC’s infallibility, Olukoyede pointed out that the commission has taken certain steps to alter its investigative processes in conformity with the law.