The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled February 22, 2024, for the hearing of a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Obiora Egwuatu confirmed this decision on Wednesday, following mutual agreement among the involved parties on the suitability of the date.

During the proceedings, the plaintiff, Mr. Victor Opatola, a lawyer representing himself, informed the court that he had received preliminary objections to the suit from the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation. However, Opatola mentioned that he had not yet received any response from the National Assembly (NASS) and the EFCC chairman.

Mr. Israel Obaniyi, representing NASS, explained to the court that his team received information from the legal department of the Assembly only on Tuesday. He assured the court that he would carefully review the brief and submit his response before the next adjourned date. Similarly, the EFCC lawyer, Mr. R.O Adakole, committed to organizing his case before the next hearing.

Consequently, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until February 22, 2024.

The lawsuit, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Opatola, challenges the federal government, NASS, and the Attorney-General over the alleged illegal appointment of Olukoyede as the EFCC Chairman. Opatola questions the validity of Olukoyede's appointment, urging the court to determine whether, according to Section 2 (1) (a) of the EFCC Act 2004, Olukoyede, who had not fulfilled the specified conditions, could be legitimately appointed as the EFCC chairman. Additionally, he seeks the court's interpretation on whether the appointee to the office of the EFCC chairman, as per Section 2(1)(a) of the EFCC Act 2004, must be above the rank of assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent.