Court slams N600m fine on EFCC for declaring Rivers govt. officials wanted

A High Court in Port Harcourt has slammed a six hundred million Naira in exemplary damages on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for investigating and subsequently declaring two officials of the Rivers State government wanted.

Justice George Omereji in a fundamental human rights matter brought by the Accountant General of Rivers state, Frederick Abere and a retired Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local government Affairs, Lekia Bukpo, restated that the EFCC has no right to investigate the State government or its officials.

Justice Omereji said he was embarrassed by the actions of the anti-graft agency; EFCC who he said failed to appeal the judgments against it but resorted to self-help by inviting the officials.

He added that the EFCC should first vacate the subsisting order made by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court before taking any action on accounts of the State government.

Justice George Omereji also said the letter of invitation of the EFCC was in disobedience to the court order and malicious, adding that only the Rivers State House of Assembly has the right to investigate the financial activities of the State government.

The court, however, declared that three hundred million Naira each be paid by EFCC to Federick Abere and Lekia Biokpo as examplary damages.

Counsel to the two officials of the State government, Dike Udenna said verdict of the court addresses actions of the federal agencies who take the judiciary for granted.

“We have a government that does not obey court orders. That is why my clients decided to come to court to reinforce that order.

“The N300m is for punitive damages in favour of my clients. There is a subsisting court order. The EFCC knows what to do,” Udenna said.

Recall that former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili obtained a court order from the Federal High Court in 2007 restraining the EFCC, ICPC, security and other federal government agencies from investigating the financial activities of Rivers State government and its officials.