The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede has said that court orders are hindering the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out investigations in 10 states.
Olukoyede did not name the 10 States but listed the challenges facing the anti-graft body to include frequent adjournment of high-profile cases by courts, contempt orders and undue reliance on technical grounds.
Stressing that the Commission’s activities have been impeded by court orders restraining it from carrying out its investigation, Olukoyede, who expressed the agency’s discomfort at such situations, therefore, called for a halt to a situation where suspects rush to court to obtain restraining orders against the EFCC from arresting them.
Speaking at a sensitization workshop for judicial stakeholders in Abuja yesterday (Monday, October 7), the EFCC boss disclosed that the agency has taken some measures to reform its processes of investigation in accordance with the provisions of the law. He, however, said that the agency was not claiming to be perfect. Olukoyede described the workshop as apt.
He thanked the leadership of the judiciary in the country for its support, noting that regular interactions among stakeholders would go a long way in the effort to realise the renewed vision and objectives of all anti-graft agencies under the current administration.
