Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to maintain the status quo in its investigation of alleged embezzlement of Ekiti State funds, including those earmarked for the Ekiti Airport project.

The directive follows a motion ex parte filed by former Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Public Procurement, O’seun Odewale, and Ariyo Oyinkolawa Adesola.

Odewale’s affidavit, submitted on September 10, 2024, claims that EFCC operatives pressured him to admit to embezzling state funds in his role as Director General, particularly regarding the airport project initiated under the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration. Odewale, however, denied the allegations.

Odewale’s legal team, led by Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN, argued that his clients were detained by the EFCC beyond the constitutionally permitted time. Balogun further noted that the propriety of the EFCC’s probe into Ekiti State contracts is currently under appeal in the Court of Appeal Ado-Ekiti, with a motion for stay of execution and an injunction pending appeal.

Balogun requested the court to prevent further harassment or invitations from the EFCC, stressing that his clients face potential irreparable damage if the court does not intervene.

Justice Nwite, in his brief ruling, agreed that justice would be best served by maintaining the current status until the case is fully heard. The court adjourned the matter to September 26, 2024.