Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) slammed a whopping sum of N100 million in a fine against the federal government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for unlawfully detaining former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Adeniyi further barred the federal government and any of its agencies, notwithstanding Emefiele’s current trial, from re-arresting, detaining, and harassing Emefiele over any alleged offence without first obtaining a warrant of arrest from a court of competent jurisdiction.
The judge issued the order after he declared the long detention of Emefiele for over five months by the Department of State Service (DSS) and EFCC as illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
According to the judge, the excuse given by the federal government that Emefiele was being investigated for other alleged infractions was not tenable, adding that the order of detention obtained from a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, lacked probative value.
He further berated security agencies for first arresting and detaining suspects before investigation.
However, the anti-graft czar has rejected the N100million fine imposed on it by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for detaining a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The commission said it will go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment of Justice O.A Adeniyi.
In a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Dele Oyewale said the commission detained Emefiele with a valid court order.
The statement said: “The EFCC has expressed dissatisfaction with a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court awarding N100 million damages against it in favour of a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
“Justice O.A Adeniyi, on Monday, January 8, 2024 fined the Commission after he ruled that the Commission’s detention of Emefiele in the course of his investigation was a violation of his right to liberty.
“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.”