ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF ABIA STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION and 35 OTHERS (SC 73/2006) [2007] NGSC 196 (23 February 2007)

**ATTORNEY-GENERAL** **OF** **ABIA** **STATE** **(PLAINTIFF)** **_v_.** **ATTORNEY-GENERAL** **OF** **THE** **FEDERATION** **and** **35** **OTHERS** **(DEFENDANTS)** **(2007)** **2** **All** **N.L.R.** **19** **Div****i****si****o****n:** Supreme Court of Nigeria **D****at****e** **o****f** **Judgment:** 23 February 2007 **C****as****e** **Num****ber:** SC 73/2006 **Before:** Idris Legbo Kutigi CJN; Sylvester Umaru Onu; Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu; Umaru Atu Kalgo; Aloma Mariam Mukhtar; Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen; Francis Fedode Tabai, JJSC **I****SS****U****E****S** _Whether_ _th_ _e_ _Economic_ _an_ _d_ _Financial_ _C_ _rimes_ _Commission_ _("EFCC")_ _wa_ _s_ _a_ _body_ _c_ _orporate_ _wi_ _th_ _th_ _e_ _c_ _apacity_ _t_ _o_ _s_ _ue_ _an_ _d_ _b_ _e_ _sued_ _in_ _a_ _court_ _of_ _law_ _in_ _the_ _performance_ _of_ _its_ _statutory_ _functions._ _Whether_ _the_ _EFCC_ _was_ _at_ _material_ _times_ _the_ _agent_ _of_ _the_ _first_ _defendant._ _Whether_ _the_ _plaintiff_ _should_ _have_ _sued_ _t_ _he_ _EFCC_ _directly._ _Whether_ _offic_ _ial_ _c_ _orruption,_ _in_ _cluding_ _corrup_ _tion_ _by_ _th_ _e_ _func_ _tionaries_ _o_ _f_ _a_ _S_ _tate_ _in_ _th_ _e_ _Fede_ _ration_ _a_ _s_ _d_ _efined_ _i_ _n_ _the_ _Cr_ _iminal_ _Code_ _law_ _applicable_ _in_ _Abia_ _State_ _or_ _in_ _the_ _Independent_ _Corrupt_ _Practices_ _and_ _Other_ _Related_ _Offences_ _Commission_ _("ICPC")_ _Act,_ _2002_ _came_ _within_ _the_ _purview_ _of_ _section_ _46_ _of_ _the_ _EFCC_ _(Establishment)_ _Act,_ _2004._ _Whe_ _t_ _he_ _r_ _s_ _ec_ _t_ _io_ _n_ _4_ _0_ _o_ _f_ _th_ _e_ _E_ _F_ _C_ _C_ _(__E_ _st_ _a_ _bli_ _s_ _hm_ _e_ _nt_ _)_ _A_ _c_ _t_ _wa_ _s_ _u_ _nc_ _o_ _ns_ _t_ _itu_ _t_ _io_ _n_ _al_ _,_ _h_ _av_ _i_ _n_ _g_ _re_ _g_ _ar_ _d_ _t_ _o_ _sec_ _t_ _io_ _n_ _3_ _6_ _o_ _f_ _th_ _e_ _Constitution._ _Whether_ _it_ _was_ _lawful_ _for_ _the_ _EFCC_ _to_ _have_ _frozen_ _the_ _account_ _of_ _any_ _person_ _pursuant_ _to_ _its_ _power_ _under_ _section_ _34(1)_ _of_ _the_ _EFCC_ _Act,_ _notwithstanding_ _the_ _provisions_ _of_ _section_ _36(1)_ _and_ _(5)_ _of_ _the_ _Constitution_ _1999._ _Whet_ _h_ _e_ _r_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _powe_ _r_ _s_ _c_ _onfe_ _r_ _re_ _d_ _o_ _n_ _th_ _e_ _EFC_ _C_ _b_ _y_ _s_ _e_ _ctio_ _n_ _7_ _(__1_ _)_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _EFC_ _C_ _Ac_ _t_ _ex_ _t_ _ende_ _d_ _t_ _o_ _i_ _n_ _vest_ _i_ _gati_ _o_ _n_ _s_ _int_ _o_ _th_ _e_ _fi_ _n_ _anci_ _a_ _l_ _affairs_ _o_ _f_ _a_ _state_ _Government._ _W_ _h_ _e_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _r_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _A_ _b_ _i_ _a_ _S_ _t_ _a_ _t_ _e_ _G_ _o_ _v_ _e_ _r_ _n_ _m_ _e_ _n_ _t_ _w_ _a_ _s_ _a_ _p_ _e_ _r_ _s_ _o_ _n_ _,_ _c_ _or_ _p_ _o_ _r_ _a_ _t_ _e_ _b_ _o_ _d_ _y_ _o_ _r_ _o_ _r_ _g_ _a_ _n_ _i_ _s_ _a_ _t_ _i_ _o_ _n_ _c_ _o_ _g_ _ni_ _s_ _a_ _b_ _l_ _e_ _u_ _n_ _d_ _e_ _r_ _s_ _e_ _c_ _t_ _i_ _o_ _n_ _7_ _(__1_ _)_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _EFCC_ _Act._ _Whether_ _the_ _EFCC_ _had_ _power_ _by_ _virtue_ _of_ _section_ _34(1)_ _and_ _(2)_ _of_ _the_ _EFCC_ _Act_ _to_ _freeze_ _any_ _account_ _of_ _any_ _government_ _in_ _the_ _Fede_ _ration,_ _includ_ _ing_ _the_ _Abi_ _a_ _Stat_ _e_ _Gove_ _rnment._ **F****ACT****S** _The_ _p_ _laintiff_ _instituted_ _this_ _action_ _i_ _n_ _the_ _Supreme_ _C_ _ourt_ _and_ _claimed_ _that_ _the_ _Economic_ _and_ _Financial_ _C_ _rimes_ _C_ _ommission_ _("EFCC")_ _h_ _ad_ _caused_ _to_ _be_ _printed_ _in_ _February_ _2006_ _the_ _statement_ _of_ _account_ _of_ _the_ _Abia_ _State_ _G_ _overnment's_ _House_ _and_ _other_ _S_ _tate_ _departments_ _without_ _its_ _authorisation._ _The_ _plaintiff_ _f_ _urther_ _c_ _laimed_ _that_ _the_ _EFCC_ _had_ _r_ _eceived_ _copies_ _of_ _its_ _accounts_ _from_ _its_ _various_ _bankers,_ _and_ _that_ _the_ _power_ _of_ _the_ _EFCC_ _t_ _o_ _p_ _rosecute_ _financial_ _crimes_ _did_ _not_ _e_ _xtend_ _to_ _the_ _management_ _of_ _its_ _(plaintiff's)_ _accounts._ _The_ _plaintiff_ _then_ _alleged_ _that_ _the_ _financial_ _affairs_ _of_ _the_ _Abia_ _State_ _Government_ _did_ _not_ _come_ _within_ _the_ _provisions_ _of_ _section_ _7(1)_ _of_ _the_ _EFCC_ _Act_ _and_ _that,_ _unless_ _restrained,_ _the_ _first_ _defendant's_ _agents,_ _acting_ _through_ _the_ _EFCC_ _would_ _take_ _steps_ _to_ _freeze_ _or_ _render_ _inoperative_ _the_ _accounts_ _of_ _the_ _Abia_ _State_ _Government._ _The_ _plaintiff_ _then_ _sought_ _declarations,_ _including_ _a_ _perpetual_ _injunction,_ _to_ _prevent_ _the_ _EFCC_ _from_ _taking_ _any_ _such_ _actions,_ _including_ _the_ _fr_ _eezing_ _o_ _f_ _it_ _s_ _b_ _ank_ _ac_ _counts._ _The_ _defendant_ _filed_ _a_ _preliminary_ _objection_ _that_ _it_ _had_ _been_ _incorrectly_ _sued,_ _because_ _the_ _EFCC_ _was_ _an_ _independent_ _body_ _outside_ _its_ _lawful_ _management_ _and_ _control._ **HELD** **L****ea****d****in****g** **j****udg****m****en****t** by Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, JSC with I.L. Kutigi Chief Justice, S.U. Onu, A.I. Katsina-Alu, U.A. Kalgo, A.M. Mukhtar and F.F. Tabai, JJSC concurring **1****.** **EFCC** **not** **controlled** **by** **the** **defendants** The relief sought by the plaintiff presupposed that the EFCC was under the control, management and direction of the defendants, whereas it was not. The statement of claim nowhere challenged the validity or constitutionality of the EFCC Act, 2004, which was the Act establishing the EFCC. Per Onnoghen, JSC at 23. **2****.** **Supreme** **Court** **jurisdiction** **over** **Federation** **and** **State** **disputes** Section 232(1) of the Constitution gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court, over any dispute between the Federation and a State, if the dispute involved any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence of a legal right depended. Per Onnoghen, JSC at 23. **3.** **Facts** **failed** **to** **disclose** **any** **dispute** **between** **the** **plaintiff** **(State)** **and** **the** **Federation** **pursuant** **to** **section** **232(1)** **of** **the** **Constitution** The facts of the case did not disclose any dispute between the plaintiff and the defendants within the meaning of section 232(1) of the Constitution. There was no complaint against the first defendant as representing the Federal Government. All the complaints were against the EFCC. Per Onnoghen, JSC at 23. **4****.** **Plaintiff** **at** **liberty** **to** **sue** **EFCC** **in** **another** **court** The plaintiff is at liberty to sue the EFCC, but not in the Supreme Court as the EFCC is neither a State nor the Federation. Per Onnoghen, JSC at 23. Preliminary objection sustained. _Chief_ _S.__U._ _A_ _kuma,_ _A.__G._ _A_ _bia_ _Stat_ _e_ _fo_ _r_ _t_ _he_ _p_ _laintiff_ with him are E _._ _Awa-Kalu_ (_Mrs_)_,_ _Ogbugo_ _Ukoha_ _Esq.,_ _Akiola_ _N.N._ (_Mrs_) _S.S.C.,_ _U._ _Chukwu_ _Esq._ _S.C;_ _M.C._ _Karu_ _Esq._ _an_ _d_ _N.C._ _Okonkwo_ _Esq._ _R.__A_ _._ _L_ _a_ _w_ _a_ _l_ _-__R_ _a_ _b_ _a_ _n_ _a_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _._ for the first defendant with him are _N.U._ _Okoi_ _Esq._ _C.L.O._ _Federal_ _Ministry_ _of_ _Justice;_ _N.A._ _Mwachukwu_ _(Miss)_ _L.O.,_ _Sheeni_ _I_ _bikuw_ _Esq.;_ _C.P._ _Idam_ _E_ _sq.,_ _C_ _huma_ _C_ _hukwudi_ _Esq._ _Y_ _aku_ _b_ _u_ _G_ _bal_ _i_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _._ for Adamawa State _I.E_ _._ _U_ _kan_ _a_ _Esq_ _,_ _D_ _.C.__L_ _._ for Akwa Ibom State _P.A_ _._ _Afub_ _a_ _Esq_ _,_ _A.__G_ _._ _A_ _nambr_ _a_ for Anambra State with _V.O._ _Onwuka_ _(Mrs_ _P_ _A.C.S.C._ _Dele_ _Adesin_ _a_ _Esq_ _._ for Bauchi State with him is _Bidemi_ _Adesin_ _a_ _Esq._ _K_ _._ _W_ _od_ _u_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _._ for Bayelsa State with him is _H.P.M._ _Apeli_ _D.C.L._ _C.M_ _._ _C_ _hah_ _a_ _P.S.C_ _._ for Benue State _Prof_ _._ _A.B_ _._ _Kasunm_ _u_ _SA_ _N_ with _O.A._ _Ojo_ _Esq._ for Delta State _Gb_ _o_ _ye_ _g_ _a_ _O_ _y_ _ew_ _o_ _l_ _e_ _Es_ _q_ _.__,_ _A_ _.G_ _._ _E_ _k_ _it_ _i_ for Ekiti State with _A.O._ _Familoni_ _D.C.L._ _A_ _.N_ _._ _El_ _u_ _w_ _a_ _(Mr_ _s_ _)_ _D.C.__L_ _._ for Imo State. _Ada_ _m_ _u_ _Ab_ _d_ _ull_ _a_ _h_ _i_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _._ for Jigawa State with him is _Sabi_ _Abubakar_ _Esq._ _H_ _.O_ _._ _Afola_ _b_ _i_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _._ for Niger State with him are _S.O._ _Ajayi,_ _O.A._ _Popoola_ _A.,_ _O.O._ _Ogunmola_ _(Mrs)_ _C_ _y_ _r_ _i_ _l_ _A_ _k_ _im_ _i_ _ns_ _o_ _l_ _a_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _.__,_ _D.__C_ _.L_ _._ for Ondo State with him _Deji_ _Ogundare_ _Esq.,_ _D.D.C.L._ _W_ _.__A_ _._ _O_ _la_ _j_ _i_ _d_ _e_ _E_ _sq_ _._ for Osun State holding brief for _N.O.O._ _Oke_ _Esq._ _SAN._ _M_ _.__F_ _._ _L_ _an_ _a_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _,_ _A_ _.__G_ _._ for Oyo State with _D.A._ _Ogumuran;_ _C.L.O.,_ _O.K._ _Omotosho_ _Esq,_ _L.O._ _F_ _.B_ _._ _L_ _o_ _tbe_ _n_ _(__Mrs_ _)_ _D_ _.__C.L_ _._ for Plateau State _E_ _.N_ _._ _M_ _adu_ _m_ _e_ _Esq_ _._ _D_ _.D_ _.__C_ _._ for Rivers State _S_ _u_ _l_ _a_ _i_ _ma_ _n_ _Ab_ _d_ _u_ _l_ _ka_ _d_ _i_ _r_ _E_ _s_ _q_ _.__,_ for Sokoto State _S.__S_ _am_ _a_ _n_ _j_ _a_ _E_ _sq_ _._ _S_ _.__G_. for Yobe State with _I.S._ _Kogo_ _D.C.L_ **Th****e** **f****o****llow****i****n****g** **ca****s****e****s** **we****r****e** **ref****e****rre****d** **t****o** **i****n** **t****h****i****s** **j****u****dgme****n****t****:** **N****i****g****e****r****i****a** _Att_ _o_ _rne_ _y_ _-G_ _e_ _ner_ _a_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _B_ _end_ _e_ _l_ _St_ _a_ _t_ _e_ _v_ _A_ _tt_ _o_ _rne_ _y_ _-Ge_ _n_ _er_ _a_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _F_ _e_ _der_ _a_ _tio_ _n_ (1981) 10 SC 1; (1982) 3 NCLR 1 _Attorney-Gen_ _e_ _ra_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _L_ _ago_ _s_ _Stat_ _e_ _v_ _Attorney-Ge_ _n_ _era_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _th_ _e_ _F_ _ederatio_ _n_ (2004) 11-12 SC 85 _Attorney-General_ _o_ _f_ _Ond_ _o_ _Sta_ _te_ _v_ _Atto_ _rney-General_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _he_ _F_ _ederation_ _&_ _1_ _9_ _others_ (1983) All NLR 552 _At_ _t_ _or_ _n_ _ey_ _-__G_ _e_ _ne_ _r_ _a_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _Fe_ _d_ _er_ _a_ _t_ _i_ _o_ _n_ _v_ _At_ _t_ _o_ _r_ _ne_ _y_ _-G_ _e_ _n_ _e_ _ra_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _Ab_ _i_ _a_ _S_ _ta_ _t_ _e_ (2001) 11 NWLR (Part 725) 689 _Attorn_ _e_ _y-Gene_ _r_ _a_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _th_ _e_ _Fed_ _e_ _ratio_ _n_ _v_ _A_ _t_ _torney_ _-__Genera_ _l_ _o_ _f_ _I_ _m_ _o_ _Stat_ _e_ (1983) 4 NCLR 178 _G_ _over_ _n_ _o_ _r_ _o_ _f_ _K_ _adun_ _a_ _St_ _a_ _t_ _e_ _v_ _Th_ _e_ _P_ _r_ _eside_ _n_ _t_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _F_ _e_ _dera_ _l_ _Re_ _p_ _ubli_ _c_ _o_ _f_ _Ni_ _g_ _eri_ _a_ (1981) 2 NCLR 786 _G_ _overn_ _o_ _r_ _o_ _f_ _Ogu_ _n_ _St_ _a_ _t_ _e_ _v_ _Pre_ _s_ _iden_ _t_ _o_ _f_ _th_ _e_ _Federa_ _l_ _Re_ _p_ _ubli_ _c_ _o_ _f_ _Nigeri_ _a_ (1982) 3 NCLR 538 _G_ _overno_ _r_ _o_ _f_ _Ond_ _o_ _Stat_ _e_ _v_ _Presiden_ _t_ _o_ _f_ _th_ _e_ _Federa_ _l_ _Republi_ _c_ _o_ _f_ _Nigeri_ _a_ (1985) 6 NCLR 681 _Obioh_ _a_ _v_ _Pres_ _i_ _den_ _t_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _Fed_ _e_ _ra_ _l_ _R_ _e_ _publi_ _c_ _o_ _f_ _Nig_ _e_ _ri_ _a_ (1981) 2 NCLR 701 _P_ _residen_ _t_ _o_ _f_ _t_ _h_ _e_ _Fede_ _r_ _a_ _l_ _Repu_ _b_ _li_ _c_ _o_ _f_ _Nigeri_ _a_ _v_ _G_ _overno_ _r_ _o_ _f_ _Kan_ _o_ _Stat_ _e_ (1982) 3 NCLR 819 **T****h****e** **f****o****l****l****o****wi****n****g** **s****t****a****t****u****t****e****s** **w****er****e** **re****f****e****r****r****e****d** **t****o** **i****n** **t****h****i****s** **j****ud****g****m****e****n****t****:** **N****i****g****e****r****i****a** Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979: S 212 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999: Ss 36(1), (5); 232(1) Criminal Code Law: generally Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act, 2004: Ss 2(_a_), (_b_); 7(1); 34(1), (2); 40; 46 Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, 2002 **O****NNOGHEN****,** **JS****C** **(DEL****I****VERE****D** **TH****E** **LEADIN****G** **JU****D****GMENT):****-** The plaintiff claims that the agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission a.k.a EFCC, had caused to be printed in February 2006, the Statement of Account of Abia State Government's House and other State Departments without authorisation or consent of the plaintiff. The plaintiff also alleges that the EFCC had received copies of Statements of Account of the plaintiff from the plaintiff's bankers including but not limited to Hallmark Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank and Manny Bank; that the powers to investigate and prosecute financial crimes vested in the EFCC does not extend to the management of the plaintiff's accounts and that the EFCC within the past one year had used its statutory powers in such a way as to freeze the accounts owned and operated by the Bayelsa State Government and the Plateau State Government; that the Government of Abia State does not come within the provisions of section 7(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ("EFCC") and as such its financial activities as a Government are not within the contemplation of the EFCC Act; that unless restrained the first defendant's agents acting through the EFCC will take steps to freeze or render inoperative the accounts of the Abia State Government and therefore called on the court to determine the following questions:- "(_a_) Whether official corruption including corruption by functionaries of a State in the Federation as defined in the Criminal Code Law applicable in Abia State or in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ('ICPC') Act, 2002 comes within the purview of section 46 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') (Establishment) Act, 2004. (_b_) Whether section 40 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') (Establishment) Act, 2004 is not unconstitutional having regard to the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution. (_c_) Further or in the alternative, whether section 40 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') (Establishment) Act, 2004 is not a Legislative Judgment. (_d_) Whether it is lawful or not for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') to freeze the account of any person pursuant to its powers under section 34(1) of the EFCC Act, notwithstanding the provisions of section 36(1) and (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. (_e_) Whether the powers conferred on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') by section 7(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 extends to investigations into the financial affairs of a State Government. (_f_ ) Whether the Government of Abia State is a person, corporate body or organisation cognisable under section 7(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004. (_g_) er the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') has power by virtue of section 34(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 to freeze any account belonging to any government in the Federation (including the Abia State Government) or at all." The plaintiff therefore claimed the following reliefs:- "(i) A determination of the question whether section 40 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Establishment) Act, 2004 is not a legislative judgment. (ii) A determination of the question whether the powers conferred on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') by section 7(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 extends to investigation into the financial affairs of a State Government. (iii) A declaration that it is unlawful for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') to freeze or render inoperative the account or accounts of any Government of a State including the plaintiff's. (iv) A declaration that the powers vested in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 does not extend to official corruption as defined in the Criminal Code Law applicable in Abia State not to such kindred offences defined in the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act, 2002 or at all. (v) A declaration that it is illegal and unconstitutional for The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') to exercise any power vested in it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 to feeze the accounts of the plaintiff without recourse to the relevant provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and to all rules of natural justice. (vi) A declaration that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for the first defendant acting through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or any of its agencies to exercise the executive powers of the Federation in such a way as to stifle, paralyse, curtail, or in any way or manner whatsoever, to inhibit the functions of any State Government including the plaintiffs. (vii) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Government, its functionaries or Agencies whomsoever including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') or howsoever from executing or applying or enforcing the provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 in the plaintiff state whether by interfering with the activities of any public officer or functionary or officer or servant of the Government of Abia State in exercise of powers purported to be conferred by or under the provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') Act, 2004 or by sections 7, 34(1) or 40 of the said Act or otherwise howsoever. (viii) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants jointly and severally from using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ('EFCC') or by any means whatsoever to freeze or render inoperative or inoperable any account or accounts of the plaintiff in any Bank in Nigeria." From the questions and reliefs reproduced (_supra_), it is without doubt that the complaints of the plaintiff are against the activities of the agents of or operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. There is no complaint against the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as represented by the first defendant in this action. It should be noted that the Attorneys-General of all the States of the Federation except Abia State, have been joined by the plaintiff as co-defendants in this action and that by relief (viii) (_supra_) the plaintiff seeks to restrain the said defendants jointly and severally from using the EFCC to freeze or render inoperable any account or accounts of the plaintiff. The above relief presupposes that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ("EFCC") is under the control, management, and direction of the defendants whereas in actual fact, it is not. Throughout the Statement of Claim, there is no single complaint against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004 which is the Act establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ("EFCC") whose activities are being called to question in the suit. The Act establishing the said Commission is not being questioned in any manner - its constitutionality or validity is therefore not in issue in this action. It is the contention of the fifth defendant/objector that this Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the action as presently constituted by virtue of the provisions of section 232(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (hereinafter called "the 1999 Constitution") and the decision of this Court in _Attorney-General_ _o_ _f_ _the_ _Federation_ _v_ _Attorney-General_