The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has awarded ₦10 million in damages to former Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, after ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) defamed him through a publication linking him to a non-existent six billion dollar fraud.
Justice Peter Kekemeke held that the EFCC acted maliciously when it published on its official website and X handle a report with the headline alleging that Agunloye had been arraigned over a six billion dollar fraud.
The court ruled that the publication misrepresented the charges against the former minister and unjustifiably damaged his reputation.
Agunloye had sued the anti-graft agency, arguing that although criminal charges were pending against him, none of them accused him of fraud.
In the judgment, the court held that the EFCC failed to justify the publication, describing the headline as sensational, inaccurate and misleading.
Justice Kekemeke also ordered the Commission to immediately retract the publication from its website and X account and publish an unreserved apology on its website and in two national newspapers.
The court further granted a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from making further defamatory publications against the former minister and awarded him ₦10 million in damages.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the EFCC, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), said the Commission was dissatisfied with the ruling and would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the defamation suit should not have been determined while the substantive criminal case against Agunloye remains pending.
