EFCC To Appeal N100m Fine Over ‘Violation Of Emefiele’s Rights’

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it would appeal the N100 million fine imposed on it by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court for violating the rights of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Gatekeepers News reports that Emefiele had instituted a fundamental human rights suit against the federal government, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and the EFCC.

The former CBN Governor claimed that they breached his rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.

Emefiele added that despite court orders directing his release, he was kept in detention.

On Monday, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja ordered EFCC to pay N100m in damages to Emefiele over the violation of his rights.

In reaction to this in a statement, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said the court failed to consider that Emefiele was held in detention with a valid court order.

Oyewale said, “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.”

Emefiele was first arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in June after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

In November, he was granted bail in the sum of N300 million.