A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay N12million damages to the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr Monday Ubani, over his illegal arrest and detention for 20 days in 2019.
Ubani was arrested and detained by the EFCC on March 19, 2019 along with Senator Christopher Enai, for failing to produce the former Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Dr Ngozi Olejeme.
Ubani and Enai had stood for as sureties for Olejeme.
Ubani had filed an application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights against the EFCC, challenging the propriety of his arrest and detention by the commission.
He further urged the court to award N5billion damages against the EFCC for the violation of his rights.
He also maintained his innocence over Olejeme’s disappearance, arguing that she absconded after the EFCC raided her residence in Abuja.
The NBA-SPIDEL chairman also stated that his decision to stand as surety for Olejeme was based on the fact you that he compelled her to return to Nigeria to face the charges against her while efforts to secure her bail was frustrated by the EFCC.
Ubani also claimed that despite his explanation, the EFCC arrested and detained him for 20 days.
In his judgment on Wednesday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji held that Ubani’s arrest and subsequent detention for 20 days was illegal and a violation of his right.
The judge further directed the EFCC to pay N12million to Ubani as damages.
But the judge refused to order the EFCC to offer a public apology for the illegal detention.
