By Milcah Tanimu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which imposed a N100 million fine against the Commission in favor of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Justice O.A. Adeniyi ruled on Monday, January 8, 2024, that the EFCC’s detention of Emefiele during their investigation violated his right to liberty. However, the EFCC contends that the judgment did not consider the fact that Emefiele was held with a valid court order. As a result, the Commission plans to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal with the intention of setting it aside.

Emefiele had previously been arraigned on illegal firearms charges before the Federal High Court in Lagos on July 25, 2023, where he was granted bail. After nearly five months in custody, he was released by the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 26, 2023.

Subsequently, Emefiele was re-arrested by the EFCC and held in custody until he was taken to court for arraignment on procurement fraud charges. The EFCC maintains that their actions were in line with legal procedures and plans to challenge the imposed fine through the appellate process.