Court Awards N10m Damages Against EFCC For ‘Unlawful’ Publication

Justice Isa Dashen of a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa has declared illegal, a publication by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the media, describing Pastor Oyinmiebi Bribena and his wife, Beatrice as wanted without a valid court order.

The court said the publication is unjustified, unlawful and unconstitutional.

In its ruling in suit number FHC/YNG/CS/132/2022 which was filed on June 10, 2022 seeking the enforcement of the fundamental human rights of Oyinmiebi and Beatrice against the EFCC and Wilson Umujaren, its former spokesman, the court resolved the sole issue against the commission. 

Additionally, it declared that the EFCC’s Guardian Newspaper publication of June 8, 2022 on page 36 declaring the duo wanted without a valid court order constitutes a breach of their fundamental rights to personal liberty.

, freedom of movement, right to private and family life, and dignity of the human person, as guaranteed by Sections 34(1), 35(1), 37 and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As amended), and Articles 4, 5, 6, and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Justice Dashen further ordered the EFCC to offer a public apology to Oyinmiebi and Beatrice for the publication.

The court also restrained the EFCC from inviting, harassing, arresting, and detaining Oyinmiebi and Beatrice, pending the determination of Suit FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022 between Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and another vs. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Furthermore, Justice Dashen awarded the sum of ten million naira as exemplary damages against the EFCC and Wilson Umujaren for the unlawful infringement and psychological trauma and humiliation suffered as a result of the publication.