By Nkechi Eze
The Bauchi State High Court has struck out a suit seeking to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating and prosecuting a Bauchi-based businessman, Alhaji Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Limited.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, Justice Aliyu Baba Usman affirmed the statutory powers of the EFCC to investigate allegations of corruption, economic and financial crimes, describing any attempt to curtail such powers as unlawful.
Koshe had approached the court on September 23, 2024, asking for a perpetual injunction to restrain the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and any of their agents, collaborators, or affiliates from investigating or prosecuting him over issues arising from a contract financing agreement between the Bauchi State Ministry of Finance (Treasury Division) and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Limited.
In a 31-paragraph affidavit, the businessman prayed the court to shield him and his firm from any form of scrutiny or legal process initiated by the anti-graft agencies. But in his ruling, Justice Usman dismissed the request, stressing that courts lack the powers to prevent law enforcement agencies from carrying out their legitimate duties.
“This honourable court, and indeed courts of law, lack requisite powers to restrain, by perpetual order or any other order, the law enforcement in this case EFCC and ICPC from performing their legitimate function of investigation and prosecution of money laundering, corruption, economic and financial crimes, or any other related offences,” the judge declared.
The ruling, therefore, clears the way for the EFCC to proceed with its investigation of Koshe and Pentech Engineering Nigeria Limited.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the Commission had earlier invited Koshe for questioning, but instead of honouring the invitation, he opted to institute the suit against the Commission in an effort to evade investigation.
The EFCC has now reiterated its determination to pursue the case to a logical conclusion, noting that the ruling further strengthens its resolve to carry out its mandate without hindrance.
