The Appeal Court, Abuja Division, has set aside the injunction granted by the High Court of Kogi State restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the investigation and prosecution of officials of the state.
According an EFCC statement obtained by The Herald, the appellate court gave its ruling on Thursday, May 18.
The EFCC had, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, filed a motion before the Appellate Court, asking for a stay of execution of the judgment of the Kogi State High Court in Suit No: HCL/696/2022 between Kogi State Government and the Commission, and Others delivered on December 12, 2022, as well as the consequential order made on the February 6, 2023.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court dismissed the preliminary objection of the Kogi State Government and also held that the ex-parte order of the trial court was “unlawful.”
The sum of N300, 000 was awarded against the Kogi State Government and its officials.
Also, the sum of N100, 000 was awarded against the state government for filing the frivolous preliminary objection and another sum of N200, 000.00 for obtaining prejudicial ex-parte order against the EFCC.
The Appeal Court further directed the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, to transfer the matter to another judge.
The appeal was handled on behalf of the EFCC by Kemi Pinhero, SAN, Jubrin Okutepa, SAN and Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
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