Appeal Court, Abuja Division, has set aside the injunction granted by Kogi State High Court restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating and prosecution of the state officials over alleged money laundering.
It could be recalled that, 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.
The Appellate Court in a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, May 18, 2023,dismissed the preliminary objection of the Kogi State Government and also held that the ex-parte order of the trial court was “unlawful.”
It awarded a fine of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) against Kogi State government and its officials.
It also awarded the sum of N100, 000(One Hundred Thousand Naira) as fine against the state government for filing the frivolous preliminary objection and another fine of N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) for obtaining prejudicial ex-parte order against the Commission.
The 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.
