Judge CA Obiozor of the Federal Superior Court, Benin City, on Thursday dismissed a claim for damage to damage and damage of ₦ 504.3 million filed against the Commission of Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) on a sting operation carried out on May 23, 2023.
The plaintiff, Christopher E. Mene (Esq), had sought ₦ 4.37 million in special damages for alleged damage to property and ₦ 500 million in exemplary damage.
He said that the EFCC agents broke doors during the raid on their property.
In his ruling, Judge Obiozor said that Mene could not prove his right to statements. He pointed out that EFCC’s evidence showed that criminals were arrested at the facilities, with 18 already convicted.
The court ruled that Mene’s complaint should have been addressed to her tenants, who, under her lease agreement, promised not to use the property for illegal activities and compensate the owner for damage.
Declaging the actions of Legal EFCC, the judge declared: “That the agencies of application of the law breathe and are allowed to do their job.”
He cited Section 12 of the Law of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) 2015, which allows security agents to enter the facilities when necessary in the course of legal duties.