The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to media reports on May 12, 2016 accusing its chairman, Ibrahim Magu of refusing to obey an order of court in the fundamental right enforcement action brought against the Commission by an Austrian businessman, Wolfgang Reinl, who is being investigated for his role in the now infamous $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.
Contrary to the insinuations in the media, there is no disobedience to any court order by the EFCC and its chairman as the commission had since May 9, 2016 filed a notice of appeal at the appellate court challenging the April 20, 2016 ruling by Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The appeal thus nullifies any claim of contempt.
It is trite law that judgement cannot be enforced in the face of an appeal.
In the Nigerian legal system, an appellant has 90 days to appeal a judgement it deems inappropriate and wrong. that window is still open to the EFCC.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
12th May, 2016
The Reference stories to the above
EFCC Boss, Magu Faces Contempt Charge over Disobedience to Court Order
Unlawful Detention of Foreigner: Court Awards N10mn Damages Against EFCC
Those who have ears to hear abd eyes to see are watching the stage shows and recent drama.
The most important issue is that EFCC should follow the rule of law rather than behaving like thugs
This EFCC boss and his team are funny. The judgement stand until when it set aside by a superior court or when an order for stay of execution of the judgement is granted by a judge. For now the chairman of efcc is in contemp of court. Filing of notice of court of appeal is not automatic for stay of execution of that judgement. By the way don’t they have sincere lawyers