Did Governor Alex Otti Ban EFCC From Operating in Abia State?
On May 14, 2025 a Facebook page, ‘Jodymachine for single mothers and fathers’ with over 47,000 followers posted a claim that Governor Alex Otti has banned the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, from operating within Abia State.
The post which had a picture of Otti and the EFCC logo was captioned “Breaking News: The governor of Abia state Alex Otti bans the EFCC from operating in the state or arresting any Abia youth. Governor Otti declared Abia fraud free…urging the commission to focus on arresting Fulani herdsmen and bandits instead. #followersreelsfypシ゚viralシfypシ゚viralシalシ#NigeriansInDiaspora#nigeria#AbiaStatenews”
As at the time this report was published, the post had gained about 120 likes, 74 comments and 37 shares. Similar claims were also found on Facebook, here and here.
VERIFICATION
According to the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 enacted by the National Assembly, it empowers the EFCC to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes across all 36 states of Nigeria.
In October 2024, 19 governors filed a suit challenging the establishment and prosecutorial powers of Nigeria’s key anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC, the Independent Corruption Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU. According to the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s judgment delivered on November 15, 2024, the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
The Supreme Court held that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly,” and that “the investigative power of the EFCC cannot be said to be in conflict with legislative powers of the state’s houses of assembly.” This judgment and the act that established the anti-corruption agency makes it unconstitutional for any governor to ban or bar its activities in their respective states.
The EFCC has been active in delivering its duties in relation to Abia state. In November 2024, 35 youths were arrested for suspected internet fraud and Ex Abia State Governor Theodore Ahamefule was arraigned with 4 others for alleged 60.85 billion naira fraud in February 2025. There has also been synergy between the state governor, Alex Otti, and the EFCC, when he invited them to investigate the alleged financial management in Abia State.
On May 21, 2025, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated that the Abia state government has not banned the EFCC from the state.
Ekeoma said, “Abia State government does not meddle in the activities of legitimate government agencies like the EFCC and other sister anti-graft agencies, let alone doing so in defence of suspected fraudsters.”
CONCLUSION
The claim that Governor Alex Otti has banned EFCC from operating in Abia State is MISLEADING. The governor’s special adviser on media and publicity has dismissed the claim, stating that the state government does not meddle in activities of legitimate government agencies like the EFCC.
