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EFCC Appeals Judgment Over Defamation Of Agunloye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, against a judgment finding it liable for defaming former Minister of Power Olu Agunloye.

Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, had ruled against the commission over a social media publication alleging a $6bn fraud in the Mambilla Power Project.

The notice of appeal was filed on Friday by counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, SAN.

In the appeal, contained in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024, the EFCC expressed dissatisfaction with the โ€œwhole of the judgmentโ€ delivered by Justice Kekemeke on July 8, 2026, at the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.

The appeal is hinged on 11 grounds and seeks four orders: allowing the appeal, setting aside the whole of the judgment, dismissing Agunloyeโ€™s claim before the trial court in its entirety, and any other order the court deems fit.

Justice Kekemeke had ruled that the EFCCโ€™s publication on Agunloye was false, defamatory and injurious to his reputation, and awarded N10m in damages against the commission.

Shittu also filed a stay of execution of the trial courtโ€™s judgment.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.