 court has issued a temporary order preventing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).){kind=link}
An Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) court has issued a temporary order preventing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting former Defence Minister Lawal Batagarawa over a land dispute.
Justice Yusuf Halilu, who presided over the case, ordered the EFCC to refrain from arresting, summoning, or harassing Mr. Batagarawa until further legal proceedings are held. The ruling followed claims that the former minister had been subjected to harassment by the EFCC over the contested property.
Additionally, Justice Halilu authorized a substituted service of court documents to the EFCC, instructing that all legal notifications be delivered to the commission’s office in Jabi, Abuja.
The case, marked CV/4123/2024, names the EFCC, several officials including Sanusi Mohammed (head of the bank fraud section), Umar Imran (investigating officer), Patrick Ineke, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.
Jerry Aondo (SAN), representing Mr. Batagarawa, initiated the case, accusing the EFCC of intimidation over a plot of land. In an affidavit dated September 20, 2024, Mr. Batagarawa recounted multiple incidents of alleged harassment, including his detention at the EFCC’s office in August for nearly nine hours before being released on administrative bail.
He further alleged that the EFCC’s actions were based on false claims orchestrated by the fourth respondent, Patrick Ineke, who asserts ownership of the disputed land. The claim is allegedly tied to a prior transaction involving a deceased individual and a former orderly of Mr. Batagarawa during his time as a minister.
In his defense, Mr. Batagarawa stated that the land was legally allocated to his company, Lamda Beta Investment Limited, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in 2001. He presented evidence of payments made for the right of occupancy and other fees amounting to N3,050,683.33.
The case has been adjourned to October 31, 2024, for further hearings on Mr. Batagarawa’s motion regarding the enforcement of his fundamental rights.