Obla loses N1 billion suit against EFCC

Obla

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday struck out the N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Godwin Obla, SAN, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

It would be recalled that Obla, who was detained by the EFCC for allegedly offering N5m gratification to Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, had filed a N1 billion suit against the EFCC, urging the court to declare his detention by the EFCC was unlawful.

Obla, through his counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), had urged the court to declare that the seizure of his mobile telephone by the EFCC was a violation of his fundamental right to own property.

But in his judgment on Friday, Justice Idris, declared that he found nothing unlawful in his detention, as he said that fundamental rights were not “absolute”.

The judge, while taking into cognizance the argument of the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, agreed that Obla and Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia were detained based on reasonable suspicion of commission of a crime and that there was a pending criminal charge against them before a Lagos State High Court.

He said “It is not in dispute that the mobile phone of the applicant was listed as one of the exhibits which the respondents intend to tender in the charge number LD/367/C/16.

Prosecuting Counsel, Oyedepo, had also told the judge that Obla’s mobile phone had been listed as an exhibit to be tendered in evidence against him before the Lagos State High Court.

He also said Obla was remanded on the remand order of a Lagos State’s Magistrate Court obtained on November 9.

“Your Lordship is enjoined not to be used as a shield against lawful prosecution. We should not be restrained from carrying out our lawful assignment,” Oyedepo had prayed the court.

Giving judgment on Friday, Justice Idris held, “It is not in dispute that the mobile phone of the applicant was listed as one of the exhibits which the respondents intend to tender in the charge number LD/367/C/16.

“There is doubt that the relief sought does not have direct bearing with the case at the Lagos High Court, and so, this court should not make an order that will strike at the heart of the charge. This is a case in which the court should not make any such orders, as this court and the Lagos State High Court are courts of concurrent jurisdiction.”

In his ruling, the Judge said, “To make any order which will have effects on the pending charge, will be to lend a helping hand in causing confusion in our courts. In the circumstance, I cannot find my way clear in granting any of the relies sought. On the whole, I find that this application cannot succeed, and it is hereby struck out.”