A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for declaring Margaret Emefiele, wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, wanted.
Presiding Judge Deinde Dipeolu ordered the EFCC to pay Margaret N3 million in damages for infringing on her fundamental rights.
In February, the EFCC had declared Margaret wanted for alleged money laundering, posting her photos and details, along with those of three others, on its website and social media.
Margaret challenged the EFCC’s actions, suing the agency and its chairman for declaring her wanted without a valid court order and for publishing her photograph.
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She sought the removal of her name and photo from the EFCC’s wanted list and demanded a public apology.
Judge Dipeolu ruled that the EFCC’s publication of Margaret’s name and photograph as a wanted person without complying with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 was illegal.
The judge affirmed that Margaret’s fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, dignity, freedom of movement, and security were violated.
The court ordered the EFCC to withdraw the publication and issue a public apology on its website.
Additionally, the EFCC was directed to pay N3 million to Margaret for the violation of her rights.
