The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said its chairman, Ibrahim Magu, is not in contempt as the Commission has already appealed the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. A statement by the EFCC reads:

“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 judgment  cannot be enforced in the face of an appeal.

“In the Nigerian legal system, an appellant has 90 days to appeal a judgment it deems inappropriate and wrong. that window is still open to the EFCC”.