The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, upholding the continued existence of the anti-graft agency.

A seven-man panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani-Abba-Aji, ruled that the case, filed by Attorneys General from several states, was without merit.

READ MORE: Police Recover N2.3m Extorted From Abuja Resident, Officers Detained

The lawsuit, initially filed by the Attorneys General of 16 states, sought the dissolution of the EFCC, which was established to combat corruption in Nigeria.

The states involved in the case included Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River, and Niger.

As the legal proceedings unfolded, some states withdrew their support, while others joined the case as co-plaintiffs.

Notably, Imo, Bauchi, and Osun states joined the suit on October 22, while Anambra, Ebonyi, and Adamawa states withdrew, leading to the dismissal of their claims by the court.

The ruling strengthens the EFCC’s legal foundation, ensuring the continued operation of the commission in its fight against financial crimes in the country.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has detained officers involved in the alleged extortion of N2.3 million from Mr. Nwosu Ndubuisi in Abuja.

This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of Zone 7 Command, DSP M.B. Abdulkadir, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).

The extorted sum has been recovered and returned to the victim, with disciplinary proceedings initiated against the implicated officers.

The statement read, “Further to the earlier statement issued on the alleged extortion of one Mr. Ndubuisi Nwosu by some officers of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, investigation was carried out, the officers allegedly involved in the extortion have been identified and detained, while disciplinary proceedings have commenced against them.

“The sum of N2.3m has been recovered and returned to Mr. Ndubuisi Nwosu.”

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The Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth C. Igweh, assured the public that the disciplinary process would be transparent, in line with the accountability standards of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.

Igweh emphasised, “The zone will update members of the public on the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings against the defaulters. Zone 7 headquarters remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law, public safety, security and its mandate of protecting lives and properties.”

The incident was initially reported by X user Harrison Gwamnishu (#HarrisonBbi18), who revealed that the officers coerced Ndubuisi into selling his laptop at Banex Plaza to pay for bail. Following this revelation, AIG Igweh ordered an investigation into the matter, leading to swift action.

This development highlights the commitment of the Nigerian Police Force to addressing misconduct within its ranks and ensuring justice for victims.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has confirmed that the long-awaited 250-bed specialist hospital in Abeokuta, abandoned by the previous administration, will commence partial operations in March 2025, with full services set to begin in June 2025.

The announcement was made on Thursday during the official handover of the hospital to Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited and Pan African Capital Holdings at the Governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

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Currently 65% complete, the hospital, located in Oke-Mosan, will provide advanced healthcare services to residents of Ogun State and neighboring regions.

Governor Abiodun expressed confidence that the facility, once fully operational, will meet the critical healthcare needs of the state.

“We are committed to ensuring this hospital meets the specific needs of our population. It will open partially in March 2025 and be fully operational by June 2025,” Abiodun said.

“After months of negotiation, we are excited to formalize this partnership, which will deliver world-class healthcare to Ogun State.”

The facility will be managed by Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited, in partnership with HealthShare South Africa, a global leader in healthcare management.

Governor Abiodun emphasized that Viewpoint would oversee the completion of the hospital’s infrastructure, reconfigure the existing space, provide additional equipment, and ensure the facility operates according to international healthcare standards.

In her remarks, Dr. Tomi Coker, Ogun State Health Commissioner, stressed that the hospital would set a new benchmark for the country’s healthcare system, enhancing service delivery and strengthening the state’s medical infrastructure.

Chris Oshiafi, Chairman of Pan African Capital Holdings, noted that the acquisition talks for the hospital began three years ago, and his company is committed to making the facility a leading medical hub, aiming to reduce medical tourism.

Dr. Tony Decoito, Chairman of Viewpoint HealthShare, reiterated the commitment to completing the project on time, promising that the hospital would be equipped with cutting-edge technology and serve as a center for medical innovation, research, and training.

Once completed, the hospital is expected to not only improve healthcare services in Ogun State but also serve as a model for modern medical facilities across Nigeria.