Lagos Government Explains Decision Not To Support Other States In EFCC Case

Lagos Government Explains Decision Not To Support Other States In EFCC CaseThe Lagos State government has clarified why it opted out of the legal action initiated by several states against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Supreme Court. Officials noted that Lagos is already involved in a pending case with the EFCC concerning a similar matter.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During a two-day Strategic Management meeting with Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and stakeholders, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Lawal Pedro, SAN, addressed the media. He explained that the current legal proceedings stem from the Lagos House of Assembly’s passage of a law to establish a state anti-corruption agency.

Following this, the EFCC, with the support of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), challenged the state’s law in the Supreme Court. Pedro emphasized that joining the suit with other states would be redundant and could be seen as an abuse of court processes.

He stated, “The Lagos State government enacted a law to create a public complaints and anti-corruption agency. The EFCC contested this law at the Supreme Court, and joining the suit would duplicate our legal efforts. We hope to receive a court date soon to resolve this matter.”

Pedro also clarified the roles of the EFCC and other federal agencies, stating that while they are permitted to investigate corruption, the prosecution of state-level offenses lies with the state’s Attorney General.

“The EFCC and other agencies can investigate, but the prosecution of state offenses is solely the responsibility of the state Attorney General,” he explained. “Any agency prosecuting state offenses does so on behalf of the Attorney General.”

He dismissed claims that Lagos’ decision not to join the suit was politically motivated due to President Bola Tinubu’s connections to the state. “Our decision is based on our existing case in the Supreme Court, not politics. We maintain a cooperative relationship with the EFCC in Lagos, where state offenses are prosecuted on behalf of the state government.”

Pedro concluded by noting that the Attorney General has the constitutional authority to intervene in cases to serve the interests of justice and the public.

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