By Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja
Justice Folasade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has restrained the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from declaring Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Malam Abdulrasheed Maina, wanted.
The court in its judgment described as unlawful, action of the anti-graft agency to declare Maina wanted.
In suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/957/2918 filed by Malam Maina on 5th of September, 2018, he had prayed the court to determine whether EFCC can lawfully exercise powers of declaring him as “wanted” on its official website or any other media platform, or by harassing him.
In addition, the former pension boss sought an order of perpetual injunction to restrain EFCC from further harassing him or declaring him wanted in relation to the particulars and subject matter of this suit.
He further prayed the court to order the EFCC, both jointly or severally, its staff, agents, privies, representatives and any other person or related affiliates under whatever name or guise, to forthwith stay clear and remove his picture, name, references, addresses, details and other particulars from the wanted list published on the EFCC official website or any other related platform where ever it may be.
After counsel in the matter argued their briefs, Justice Ogunbanjo gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC and its affiliates or related bodies from further declaring him ‘wanted” in relation to subject matter of this suit.
The court further ruled that the action of placing Maina as “wanted” is unlawful as it is an infringement on his fundamental human rights and it was done without an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, as stipulated by section 41 and 42 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
