BEVERLY HILLS, December 11, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed that it will appeal the ruling of the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal which held that it lacked powers to prosecute serving judges.
THEWIL recalls that the Court, on Monday, struck out the criminal charges by the Commission filed against Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Bayelsa state.
It held that the EFCC could not prosecute any serving judge unless he had been disciplined and recommended for prosecution by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Reacting, the EFCC, via its twitter handle accused the court of trying to shield public officers from prosecution and vowed to appeal against the decision.
The anti-graft agency said it considered the ruling as a dangerous precedent, saying it has no basis in law saying it would appeal.
“Criminal trial takes precedence over administrative procedures and it is strange that the court of appeal wants to put the cart before the horse,” it said.
“This is ridiculous! The appellate court simply wants to confer immunity on public officers from prosecution for corruption, it will not stand.”
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