Court declares EFCC’s publication on Immanuel unlawful, orders retraction

By Innocent Anaba

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has held that the declaration of Mr. Ufoma Immanuel ‘wanted’ by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s was in flagrant disobedience of the subsisting order of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court.

Trial judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu also held that the action of EFCC was contrary to the clear provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.

Immanuel had in the suit challenged the publication of a “wanted” notice issued in November 2025 by the EFCC.

Immanuel contended that the notice was published at a time when related issues were already pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The court declared that the commission lacked the statutory power to restrain the applicant’s fundamental rights through its publication of November 19, 2025, in the face of a subsisting court order, and that the publication declaring him wanted amounted to an infringement of his constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

The judge ordered the Commission to retract and withdraw all publications declaring Immanuel wanted and to replace them with a public notice retracting the declaration.
The commission was also directed to pay N5 million as compensation for the infringement of his rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement and dignity.
The court’s decision reinforces the obligation of authorities to comply with subsisting court processes and to act within the bounds of constitutional and statutory safeguards in the course of enforcement actions.

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