A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have kicked against what they described as a deliberate attempt by the Federal Government to disrespect the Nigerian Constitution and destroy the principles of federalism, using illegally constituted anti-graft agencies.

The CSOs, numbering about 200, said the attempt by the Federal Government to frustrate the hearing of the case instituted by 19 state governments, challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two others, was an indication that government was aware of the illegality of the anti-graft agencies and was trying to put pressure on the Supreme Court.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by Ifeanyi Odili, President, Campaign for Democracy (CD); and Dr. Dapo Oluwole of the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), the activists faulted the Federal Government’s alleged pressure on the Supreme Court to dismiss a valid case.

Noting that they were fully in support of the fight against corruption but would not support the shenanigans of agencies working against the success of anti-graft efforts.

To them, the objections raised by the Attorney-General of the Federation in its application had no bearing with the case at hand because it did not address the issue at stake – constitutionality.

They called on the Judiciary to ignore harassment and intimidation by the Executive at the centre, saying a situation where successive administrations perceived the EFCC, in particular, as a tool for intimidation must stop in the interest of true Federalism.

According to them, this is the reason corruption has continued to fester rather than reduce.