Ubani was arrested in March 2019, and detained for 20 days by the Ibrahim Magu-led EFCC who held sway as emperor
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,(EFCC), to pay the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani N12 million as damages over his illegal arrest and detention for 20 days in 2019 by the Commission.
Recall that the former NBA second vice president was arrested and detained by the EFCC on March 19, 2019, along with Senator Christopher Enai for their failure to produce former Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, (NSITF), Mrs Ngozi Olejeme, whom they stood for as her sureties. The EFCC insisted that it would only release the woman on administrative bail if Ubani stood surety for her.
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Dr Ubani had maintained his innocence over Olejeme’s disappearance, insisting that she absconded after the EFCC raided her home. He also stated that his decision to stand surety for Mrs Olejeme was because he compelled her to return to Nigeria to face the charges against her and all efforts to secure her bail was frustrated by the EFCC.
Despite Ubani’s explanation, the EFCC arrested and detained him for 20 days. Consequently, he filed an action before the FCT High Court, seeking N5 billion exemplary and aggravated damages for the violation of his rights.
Delivering judgment in the suit on Wednesday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji declared that Ubani’s arrest and subsequent detention for 20 days were illegal and a violation of his right.
The judge ordered the EFCC to pay Ubani N12 million as damages.
However, the judge refused to order the EFCC to offer a public apology to Ubani for the illegal detention besides the payment of N12 million to the lawyer.