The Federal High court in Lagos has awarded the sum of 5 million Naira against Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the unlawful arrest, detention and the freezing of the Account of one Mr Charles Aiyeni for standing surety to Chief Jerome Itepu, a friend of his who was arrested and released on bail to him. In an enforcement of his fundamental human rights which Mr Charles Aiyeni, the Applicant is alleging to have been contravened, he sought for several declarations and Orders to wit: (a) A declaration that the several invitation of the Applicant by EFCC, the Respondent numbering over 10 times between July, 2018 and January, 2019 with threat of further detention for failure to produce Chief Jerome Itepu is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as they constitute a gross violation of the Applicant’s Fundamental Rights as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 44 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended. (b) A declaration that the freezing of the Applicant’s Bank Account with First Bank of Nigeria PLC, by the Respondent was illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as it constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s Fundamental Rights as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended. (c) An order directing the Respondent and its officers, agents etc or otherwise howsoever to forthwith cease from harassing, intimidating, and threatening the Applicant with arrest, detention on the subject matter of non production of Chief Jerome Itepu. (d) An order directing the Respondent to pay the sum of 500 million Naira to the Applicant as exemplary and aggravated damages for the illegal arrest, detention and freezing of his bank account and finally (e) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondent and its officers from further arresting and detaining the Applicant on the same subject matter.
Continue reading EFCC has no right to arrest,detain or freeze surety’s account- FHC- See full ruling
