Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court on Wednesday awarded N10 million in damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for defaming the reputation of former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye.

The judge found the commission guilty of defamation while delivering judgment in a N10billion suit filed against the EFCC by Agunloye.

Agunloye claimed that the publication on the commission’s Website and X (formerly Twitter) handle, entitled “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6billion fraud”, damaged his reputation.

Agunloye had, through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe SAN, suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024, claimed that the EFCC caused harmed his reputation.

He added that he (Agunloye) was said to be a corrupt and fraudulent individual through a post published on its official website and other allied online platforms, with the caption, “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6billion fraud”.

Delivering judgment , Justice Kekemeke held that there were elements of defamation in the posts.

The judge held that in the instant case, the contentious publication is in permanent form, adding that Agunloye’s name was mentioned.

The court further held that EFCC’s sole witness in the case, Assistant Commissioner of Police Umar Babangida, inspite of the fact that he initially denied knowledge of the said publication, later owned up and admitted that it was from the defendant’s media department.

He held that the case before him does not challenge EFCC’s power to investigate economic and financial crime as claimed by the defendant.

“Having gone through the charge in the criminal case against the claimant before a FCT high court in Apo, there is no where in it that claimed fraud, contrary to the EFCC publication.

“The issue of fraud is not in any of the exhibits tendered before the court in the course of hearing the case.

”The EFCC failed to prove the truth in the said publication. That is not fair and does not represent the court’s proceedings,” the judge held.

He held that the EFCC was not a news agency but an investigative agency.

Justice Kekemeke held that the commission knew that Agunloye was not involved in a fraud of six billion Naira.

The court declared that the contentious publication on EFCC official website and X handle as false and defamatory.

The judge ordered the commission to retract the publication and offer public apology on its website and two other national dailies.

The court further ordered a perpetual injunction restraining EFCC from defaming the former minister.

Reacting to the judgment in an interview with newsmen, counsel for the EFCC, Dr Wahab Shittu SAN, declared the commission will appeal the judgment.

“Though the court has made it pronouncement, the case is premature as the claimant’s criminal charge is yet to be concluded and judgment delivered,” he said.(NAN)

The Presidency has dismissed claims by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the allegations as false, misleading, and without basis.

Obi had said he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is systematically frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.

He said this during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo.

A clip of the interview was shared on Jideonwo’s X handle on Wednesday.

Speaking on the possibility of participating in the 2027 presidential race, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges he faces had become so intense that he could not even be certain he would still be alive by then.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

Reacting in a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s recent claims, including an alleged incident involving his vehicle at an airport and fears about his safety ahead of the 2027 general election, were unfounded and lacked credible evidence.

Onanuga described Obi as a “pathological and serial liar,” hellbent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters.

He said: “As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.

“His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.

“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.”

The presidential spokesman further stated that the federal government had no interest in targeting Fidelity Bank, in which Obi is said to have a substantial interest, stressing that the financial institution continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms.

Onanuga stressed the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms designed to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians, rather than engaging in political distractions.

He added: “It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms.

“The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being “haunted” by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.

“The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies or by his candidacy, as he constantly diminishes himself with specious, unverifiable utterances.”

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has directed security personnel not to hesitate in confronting armed bandits and terrorists, declaring that any operative who fails to neutralise criminals under the excuse of awaiting orders would be treated as collaborating with them.

Musa gave the charge on Wednesday in Sokoto State while commissioning 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth ₦27.127 billion procured by the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations across the state.

“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” the minister declared.

“Anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit.”

The minister described the intervention as a demonstration of strategic leadership and praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for consistently supporting security agencies with logistics and operational equipment.

“This event is not merely the unveiling of security assets. It is a demonstration of strategic leadership, responsible governance and our collective determination to strengthen the security architecture of Sokoto State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Musa, who described himself as “a proud son of Sokoto,” said the state had remained one of the most peaceful in the country due to collaboration among the government, security agencies and residents.

He noted that the newly commissioned armoured vehicles and tactical equipment would improve operational mobility, intelligence gathering and force protection in the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.

The Minister of Defence, however, cautioned security personnel against neglecting the newly acquired assets.

“This equipment costs billions of naira. We don’t want to hand them over and then you throw them away or mishandle them. They must serve the purpose for which they were procured,” he said.

While urging officers to remain professional, Musa reminded them to protect innocent citizens while taking decisive action against criminals.

“You are not to go there and extort or harass the people. You are there to protect them and work with them to eliminate bandits and terrorists operating within your area,” he added.

Earlier, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the latest intervention formed part of his administration’s sustained investment in security since assuming office.

According to him, the state government procured bulletproof vehicles, Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 320 motorcycles, 3,200 security gadgets, 2,000 bulletproof helmets and vests, 200 night-vision goggles, thermal devices and other tactical equipment.

Discover more
Business Formation
E-paper access
Breaking news alerts
gov
Digital newspaper subscription
“In all, we are distributing 62 vehicles and the security equipment highlighted above. These vehicles and security equipment cost the Sokoto State Government ₦27.127 billion,” the governor said.

Aliyu disclosed that the state had previously spent over ₦36 billion on security interventions, including operational vehicles, motorcycles, military and police barracks, the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps and support for the Nigerian Air Force Base.

The governor also revealed that his administration had forwarded a bill to the State House of Assembly seeking stiffer penalties for informants aiding bandits.

“The bill is currently before the State House of Assembly and once it is passed, we will sign it without any further delay,” he said.

He added that the government had approved the establishment of a Command and Control Centre to enhance surveillance and coordination of security operations across the state.

Governor Aliyu appealed to residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that defeating banditry requires a collective effort.

“Security is a collective responsibility and together we shall overcome every security challenge confronting our state,” he said.