Court Orders EFCC to Compensate Ex-Minister N10 Million

On Wednesday, Justice Peter Kekemek of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay former Power Minister Dr. Olu Agunloye N10 million in damages for defamation. The ruling stemmed from a libel suit filed by Agunloye against the EFCC, which had falsely accused him of being involved in a N6 billion fraud on its official website and social media platforms.

The court found that the EFCC's statements were defamatory and that the agency had failed to prove the truth of its claims. Agunloye sought N1 billion in damages and a retraction of the defamatory statements, which the court granted.

Justice Kekemek emphasized that the EFCC's actions had harmed Agunloye's reputation. Following the judgment, EFCC's counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu, indicated plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the case was premature as Agunloye's criminal charges had not been resolved.