By: Ade Phillips

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to compensate businessman Emmanuel Yashim with a sum of N1 million for infringing upon his property rights.

Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the directive following a lawsuit filed by Mr. Yashim seeking the protection of his fundamental rights.

The case, identified as CV/590/2022, saw the applicant requesting the court to order the EFCC to pay him N10 million in damages for seizing his vehicle in 2022.

Represented by his counsel, Nwachukwu Ibegbu, Mr. Yashim also urged the court to instruct the EFCC to release his Mercedes Benz GLC 300, which has been in the commission’s possession since November 22, 2022.

Additionally, the applicant sought a declaration from the court that the continued detention of his car without specifying the offense constituted a violation of his rights.

He therefore prayed the court to declare such an act by the anti-graft agency unconstitutional and illegal.

Mr Kekemeke held that the EFCC’s continued detention of the applicant’s vehicle is unconstitutional and illegal and a breach of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

He, therefore, ordered the respondent to release the vehicle forthwith.

The judge added that the respondent’s agents, privies, and servants, whosoever called, are restrained from further re-arresting or impounding the applicant’s vehicle except in accordance with the court’s order.

“The respondent is ordered to pay a sum of N1 million as compensation for the breach of the applicant’s right to own property,” Mr Kekemeke ruled.

(NAN)