The League of Patriotic Lawyers has defended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its decision to restrict transactions on the Osun State Ecological Fund account, saying the anti-graft agency acted within its statutory powers.
Chairman of the group, Abubakar Yesufu, made the position known in a statement issued on Saturday, arguing that the EFCC had a responsibility to take preventive steps where there were reasonable grounds to suspect that public funds could be diverted or improperly used.
The lawyers said the commission’s action was linked to concerns over the possible diversion of more than N11 billion in public funds.
Yesufu explained that under the law, a Post No Debit (PND) order issued by the EFCC can initially restrict transactions for 72 hours. He said the commission would then need to obtain an order from a court of competent jurisdiction to extend the restriction if necessary, unless the initial order had been lifted.
He cited Section 34 of the EFCC Act and Section 7 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act as the legal provisions supporting the commission’s action.
“The EFCC was therefore within its powers to restrict transactions on the Osun State Ecological Fund account where it had concerns over possible diversion,” the group argued.
Lawyers Cite Previous Court Case
The League also referred to a 2019 legal dispute involving the EFCC and the Benue State Government, saying the Federal High Court in Lokoja had imposed a N50 million fine on the commission and sought to restrict its use of a Post No Debit order.
According to the lawyers, the Court of Appeal later overturned the decision, affirming the EFCC’s authority to use a Post No Debit order to prevent the dissipation of public funds for 72 hours while seeking further orders from a competent court.
The group therefore maintained that the EFCC acted within its legal authority when it restricted transactions on the Osun account after allegedly becoming concerned that the funds could be used for election-related activities or diverted outside established financial procedures.
Group Backs EFCC’s Wider Anti-Corruption Efforts
Yesufu also commended the EFCC over its reported disclosure that more than 18 state governors are currently under investigation or scrutiny over alleged financial misconduct and mismanagement of public funds.
He urged the commission to remain firm in its anti-corruption efforts and ensure that no state, political party or individual is shielded from investigation.
The League also backed the EFCC’s ongoing prosecution of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, saying efforts to recover public funds and prosecute individuals accused of financial crimes should continue.
The lawyers, however, urged the commission to remain professional and impartial, stressing that the fight against corruption should be conducted without regard to the political affiliation or status of anyone under investigation.
Source: League of Patriotic Lawyers.
