L
LequteMan
Guest
A 70-year-old businessman, Mr Kingsley Uche-Mba, on Tuesday sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court sitting in Lugbe for allegedly invading his residence.
His lawyer, Mr. Shaka Awaliene said that operatives of the EFCC forced their way into his client’s apartment at about 5.40 a.m. on Aug. 31, without a warrant on the instigation of a Mr. Nicholas Elechi.
He said that the operatives entered his client’s residence with sophisticated weapons and handcuffs with the intent to arrest him while he was away in his village. Since he wasn’t around they harassed his wife and daughter.
Awaliene said that when his client contacted Elechi, who led the operatives to his house, he (Elechi) claimed the plaintiff benefitted from a land transaction in Dec. 2011, for which he must refund N2.5 million.
He prayed the court to declare the alleged act of the EFCC operatives a violation of his client’s fundamental human right and his right to personal liberty and family life and urged to enforce this right by granting an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further invading his house to harass and threaten his family.
When the case came up for mention, the defendants were absent and were not represented by counsel and the plaintiff’s counsel moved a motion for substituted service of the court processes on them.
Justice Angela Otaluka, however, refused to grant the motion and insisted on personal service on the respondents and adjourned the case to Nov. 28 for them to be properly served and appear in court.
His lawyer, Mr. Shaka Awaliene said that operatives of the EFCC forced their way into his client’s apartment at about 5.40 a.m. on Aug. 31, without a warrant on the instigation of a Mr. Nicholas Elechi.
He said that the operatives entered his client’s residence with sophisticated weapons and handcuffs with the intent to arrest him while he was away in his village. Since he wasn’t around they harassed his wife and daughter.
Awaliene said that when his client contacted Elechi, who led the operatives to his house, he (Elechi) claimed the plaintiff benefitted from a land transaction in Dec. 2011, for which he must refund N2.5 million.
He prayed the court to declare the alleged act of the EFCC operatives a violation of his client’s fundamental human right and his right to personal liberty and family life and urged to enforce this right by granting an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further invading his house to harass and threaten his family.
When the case came up for mention, the defendants were absent and were not represented by counsel and the plaintiff’s counsel moved a motion for substituted service of the court processes on them.
Justice Angela Otaluka, however, refused to grant the motion and insisted on personal service on the respondents and adjourned the case to Nov. 28 for them to be properly served and appear in court.