The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court dismissing two appeals from the Rivers State government effectively cleared the pathway to investigate former governor, Dr Peter Odili’s tenure in the state.
A statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, added that the ruling allows the commission “To investigate Dr. Odili’s eight-year rule of the oil-rich state and brought to an end EFCC’s long-standing legal battle to probe the administration.”
The Supreme Court had on Monday dismissed two appeals by the Rivers State government seeking to set aside the leave granted the EFCC to appeal the perpetual injunction restraining the probe of former Governor Odili.
A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Inyang Okoro dismissed the appeals after they were withdrawn by the Attorney General of Rivers State and the speaker of the state’s assembly.
Earlier, counsel to the Rivers State government, S. A. Somiari (SAN), had informed the apex court that the appeals are seeking to set aside the leave granted to challenge an order prohibiting the investigation of the tenure of Peter Odili as governor of the state.
This followed a perpetual injunction obtained in 2007 by Odili from a Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt restraining the EFCC from investigating or arresting him.
The court order also restrained the anti-graft agency from probing the finances of the Rivers State government.
The EFCC later applied to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal the Federal High Court’s decision out of time, an application the appellate court granted, a decision the AG, Rivers and the speaker appealed to the Supreme Court.
While the Somiari was explaining the appeals brought to the apex court, Justice Okoro directed that they should return to the Court of Appeal to have the substantive appeal heard before coming to the Supreme Court.
Realising the court’s disposition to his case, Somiari subsequently applied to withdraw the appeal, which application was not opposed by the EFCC, Abubakar Mahmud, who led Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) and B. O. Obialo, who appeared for the other respondents.
Ruling, Justice Okoro said: “Appeal is dismissed, having been withdrawn without any objection.”
Both appeals marked SC/CV/318/2018 and SC/CV/447/2018 by the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly.
