The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has suffered a major setback in its anti-corruption battle as it has been barred from investigating the financial management of Akwa Ibom state.
The interim injunction was given on July 13 by a state High Court in Akwa Ibom.
It prevents the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Inspector General of Police from investigating Akwa Ibom.
The suit was filed by Uwemedimo Nwoko who is the attorney general on behalf of Akwa Ibom.
The presiding judge of the State High Court, Ikot Ekpene, Justice NFN Ntong ruled that the EFCC, ICPC and the police should not arrest, detain, or investigate “any person or persons whether past or present official in the Akwa Ibom state government without any report of indictment by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, pending the hearing and the determination of the Motion on Notice filed in this suit in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order”.
Mr. Nwoko in an interview on Friday, July 22 revealed that the state government went to court because EFCC wrote letters to banks requesting documents on state government transactions.