Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court has ruled in favor of the suspended former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), awarding him N100 million in damages against the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for violations of his rights.
The embattled Emefiele had taken legal action against the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the EFCC to enforce his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.
Emefiele sought a declaration from the court that his continuous detention by the EFCC since June 10, 2023, and subsequent transfer to the custody of the AGF on October 26, 2023, without being arraigned in court, is unlawful.
He argued that the agencies’ actions, despite multiple valid court orders for his release, constituted a grave violation of his rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Among other requests, Emefiele sought an injunction to prevent the respondents from further arresting or detaining him without presenting a criminal charge against him.
Additionally, he sought damages in the amount of N1 billion for the violation of his fundamental rights.
The ruling by Justice Adeniyi represents a significant development in Emefiele’s legal battle against the government and the EFCC, marking a pivotal moment in his quest for justice.
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