Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to “maintain the status quo” regarding its investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Ekiti State funds. This order pertains to funds allocated for the Ekiti Airport project, among other expenditures, under the supervision of former Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, O’seun Odewale.
The directive was issued on September 13, 2024, in response to a motion filed by Odewale and Ariyo Oyinkolawa Adesola against the EFCC, recorded as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1340/2024.
Odewale’s affidavit, dated September 10, 2024, claims that EFCC operatives have been coercing him into admitting offenses related to the embezzlement of state funds, particularly concerning the airport project initiated during Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s administration. Odewale contends that the EFCC’s investigation has extended to other minor contracts awarded by the Ekiti State Government under his tenure.
His legal counsel, Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN, argued that the EFCC’s detention of Odewale exceeded constitutional limits and contested the legality of the EFCC’s probe into Ekiti State contracts, which is currently under appeal at the Court of Appeal Ado-Ekiti. He also highlighted a pending motion for a stay of execution and an injunction pending appeal.
Balogun urged the court to restrain the EFCC from further harassment or interrogation of his clients, asserting that continued EFCC actions could cause “irreparable damage or grievous hardship” to them. The senior lawyer emphasized that despite ongoing court cases, EFCC operatives continue to threaten his clients over the investigation.