…as Anti Graft commission Vows to Set Aside Judgement.
A High Court in Abuja has fined the federal government and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N100m for violating the fundamental rights of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice O. A Adeniyi on Monday ruled that Emefiele’s detention without trial was a violation of fundamental human rights.
The court’s decision followed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Emefiele against the Federal Government and the Attorney- General of the Federation on his prolonged detention in the custody of the Department of State Services DSS.
The former governor of the CBN had asked the court to order the respondents to pay him N1bn damages and to restrain them from further arresting and or detaining him.
Consequently, the court restrained the FG and its agents from rearresting or detaining him without a court order.
But shortly after the court’s order, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC vowed to appeal the judgement.
Spokesman of the commission,Dele Oyewale said Emefiele’s detention was in line with the law as he “was held with a valid order of court”
His statement reads:
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has expressed dissatisfaction with a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court awarding N100 million damages against it in favour of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele,” the EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said in a statement.
“Justice O.A Adeniyi, on Monday, January 8, 2024, fined the Commission after he ruled that the Commission’s detention of Emefiele in the course of his investigation was a violation of his right to liberty.
“The decision failed to take cognizance of the fact that the former CBN boss was held with a valid order of court. Consequently, the Commission will approach the Court of Appeal to set it aside.”
