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EFCC Can’t Declare Anybody Wanted - Court

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory held that the EFCC lacks the powers to declare anybody wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC will have the court to contend with when next it declares anyone wanted. 

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday held that the Commission lacks the powers to declare anybody wanted without first obtaining a court order.

Justice Othman Musa said in a judgment yesterday that the EFCC could declare wanted anyone who fails to honour its invitation but the power could only be exercised after it has obtained a court order to that effect.

Justice Musa’s judgment was on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the Chief Executive Officer of AITEO Group, Benedict Peters.

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In the suit marked: FCT/HC/CV/23/2017, Peter accused EFCC of declaring him wanted on its web site without due process.

The suit had EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.

He said the decision of the EFCC to declare him wanted without a pending charge or a valid court order to that effect was a violation of his fundamental rights.

The EFCC said Peters is being investigated over his alleged involvement in the 2015 election bribery.