Jigawa Government Withdraws from EFCC Constitutionality Lawsuit
In a surprise move, the Jigawa state government has announced its withdrawal from a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bello Abdulkadir-Fanini, made the announcement at a news conference in Dutse on Saturday. According to Abdulkadir-Fanini, a notice of withdrawal was filed on October 24 with the Chief Register of the court.
The lawsuit, AG of Kogi VS AG of the Federation (SC/CV/178/2023), had been ongoing at the Supreme Court. Abdulkadir-Fanini stated that the notice of withdrawal was signed by him and filed at Abuja on October 24, 2024, serving the Chief Register of the Court, the Defendant (the Attorney-General of the Federation), and the states that are plaintiffs in the case.
When asked for a categorical reason behind the state’s withdrawal from the case, the commissioner declined to provide one. Instead, he explained that the case was initially pursued in the interest of the state and was withdrawn in the same interest. "For instance, you can take someone to court to pursue a particular interest and you can find another way of achieving that particular interest and withdraw the case," Abdulkadir-Fanini said.
He also cited alternative dispute resolution as a possible reason for the withdrawal, stating that the case could have been resolved through an amicable settlement. Despite the withdrawal, the commissioner’s comments suggest that the state’s interests remain a priority, and the decision to withdraw from the lawsuit may be part of a broader strategy to achieve those interests through other means.
The implications of Jigawa’s withdrawal from the lawsuit are not yet clear, but it may have significant consequences for the ongoing debate about the constitutionality of the EFCC. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the future of the commission and the state’s interests.