Okorocha loses N1.2bn suit against EFCC, IGP Idris

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos has denied Governor Rochas Okorocha of N1.25 billion damages fee filed against former Inspector-General of Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The governor in November 2018 sued the two parties over the invasion of his residence in Jos.

He argued that the anti graft agency did not follow due process before storming his apartment on May 3, 2017.

Joined in the suits are the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

He therefore prayed the court to declare the action of the Police and EFCC as “illegal, null and void’’ and award his client the sum of N1.25bn as general damages because there was no valid court warrant for such an exercise.

But in the judgement delivered on Thursday by Justice Musa Kurya, the court ruled that a search warrant dated May 3, 2017 was attached to the exhibit presented before the court by the respondents.

Read also: Ex-Airforce Chief, Tony Omenyi, jailed 7 years for fraud

The court consequently dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

“Even though there was no record of how the search warrant was obtained, a search warrant dated May 3, 2017 from a Magistrate has been attached as exhibit before this court.

“Whether due process was followed or not at obtaining the search warrant, there is no proof otherwise to its genuineness and the breach of sections 34 – 37 of the UN human rights and African Charter.

“Consequently, judgement is hereby entered in favour of the respondents. The applicant’s claims are hereby refused.

“I hereby declare that the application of the applicant lacked merit and is hereby dismissed and cost is not awarded to either parties in this suit,’’ the judge ruled.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now