Court dismisses suit seeking removal of Olukoyede as EFCC chairman
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking the sack of Ola Olukoyede as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu dismissed the suit on the grounds that the applicant lacked locus standi (legal right) to institute it.
Lawyer, Victor Opatola, had filed the suit, challenging the validity of the appointment on the grounds that Olukoyede did not meet the years of service required by law for the office of chairman of the anti-graft agency.
He had listed the President of Nigeria, National Assembly, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Olukoyede as 1st to 4th respondents respectively, in the suit marked: HC/ABJ/CS/1403/2023.
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However, the respondents prayed the court to dismiss the suit for lacking merit.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Olumide Fusika, in the last adjourned date, challenged the legal authority of the plaintiff to institute the suit in the first instance.
Besides, Olukoyede claimed that he is eminently qualified to occupy the office of EFCC chairman, having served as secretary of the commission, a grade level 17 position, which is higher than the rank of an assistant commissioner of police, a grade level 14 position.
He accordingly asked the court to dismiss the suit.