SUPREME COURT DISMISSES APPEAL STOPPING EFCC FROM CONTINUED TRIAL Of ODILI
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed two appeals filed by the Attorney General of Rivers State and the Speaker of the State Assembly, which sought to set aside the leave granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to challenge an order that prevented the investigation of Peter Odili’s tenure as governor of the state.
In 2007, Peter Odili obtained a perpetual injunction from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which restrained the EFCC from investigating or arresting him, as well as probing the finances of the Rivers State Government.
However, the EFCC later sought permission from the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court’s ruling, requesting an appeal out of time.
According to The Nation, the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC's request, prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court by the Attorney General and Speaker of Rivers State.
During Monday’s hearing, Justice John Okoro, who presided over a five-member panel, asked for clarification on the appeal's substance.
S. A. Somiari (SAN), counsel for the appellants, explained that it was an interlocutory appeal challenging the leave granted by the Court of Appeal for the EFCC to appeal the 2007 ruling.
Justice Okoro expressed his doubts, noting that such cases were not typically heard by the Supreme Court.
After a brief exchange, Somiari requested to withdraw the appeal, which was not opposed by the EFCC’s counsel, Abubakar Mahmud.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, and the matter was sent back to the Court of Appeal for further proceedings.
A similar outcome was reached for the appeal filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, effectively ending both appeals at the Supreme Court level.
