According to a report by DAILY POST, a Federal High Court in Ibadan has dismissed an application filed by five Oyo kingmakers seeking to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating them over an alleged N15 million bribery scandal.
The kingmakers, Yusuf Ayoola (Basorun), Lamidi Oyewale (Sanu), Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin), Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku), and Wakeel Oyedapo, had filed separate applications, seeking to restrain the EFCC from carrying out its constitutional duty of investigating suspected financial crimes.
However, in a series of judgments, Justice Ekerete Akpan rejected the kingmakers' applications, stating that it was impossible to prevent the EFCC from fulfilling its mandate.
The court further dismissed the kingmakers' claim that the EFCC's actions amounted to harassment, stating that the mere interpretation of the anti-graft agency's intentions, particularly regarding the alleged N15 million bribery allegation, did not constitute harassment.
Counsel to the applicants, I.B. Olayinka, had argued that the EFCC's "ceaseless attempt" to arrest and investigate his clients over the alleged collection of cash gifts by the kingmakers was unfair and unjust.
He also claimed that the Oyo State government's request for the EFCC to investigate the kingmakers was a clear case of "witch-hunting."
However, the EFCC's counsel, Mr. S.M. Galadanchi, contested Olayinka's submissions, stating that two of the kingmakers, Asimiyu Atanda and Lamidi Oyewale, had already honored the EFCC's invitation and provided valuable information.
Galadanchi further revealed that the two chiefs had stated that the kingmakers had reached a consensus on the next Alaafin of Oyo after one of the candidates, Lukman Gbadegesin, offered each of them N15 million.
The counsel to the Oyo State government, Mr. N.A. Abiola, also argued that the kingmakers' application was based on mere assumptions and should be rejected.