Court Bars EFCC From Arresting, Detaining Honda Executives, 200 Others

The Lagos State High Court in Igbosere has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or detaining the management of Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited and more than 200 other applicants in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi granted the interim injunction after entertaining an application moved by the applicants’ counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) leading Akinwale Irokosu A. Apara and T. Aluko.

The applicants include the two Honda companies, their officers, dealers, distributors, business associates, and other individuals and business entities.

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They approached the court to protect their fundamental rights, alleging that they faced threats of arrest and detention, as well as other actions arising from the EFCC investigation.

In their application, they sought orders restraining the commission, its officers, agents, and anyone acting on its behalf from arresting, detaining, or otherwise interfering with their personal liberty until the substantive suit is determined.

They also asked the court to prevent the EFCC from compelling them or their officers to attend further questioning, issuing additional invitations to certain applicants, dealers, distributors, and business associates, or subjecting them to harassment, intimidation, or threats of arrest.

The applicants further asked the court to restrain the commission from arresting or detaining any individual applicant solely because they failed or were unable to honour further invitations issued in connection with the investigation.

They also sought an order barring the EFCC from taking any action to restrict their liberty without complying with the Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and other applicable laws.

In ruling on the application, Justice Ogunjobi granted the first prayer for an interim injunction, holding that the order also covered the reliefs sought in prayers two to six.

The application was brought under Sections 34, 35, 37, 40, 43, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

The court adjourned the matter until November 13, 2026, for further proceedings.