A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to pay one Mr Ubong Williams the sum of N20 million for the violation of his fundamental rights.
The court also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further arresting, harassing and intimidating Williams, pending the determination of a suit marked PHC/PH/FHR/240/2020.
The anti-graft agency investigated Williams for fraud in connection with the construction the Ikom Imam flyover bridge; the Ibiaku Ikot-Ikot Udom Eshiet Road; Etinan Circus-Ekpene Ukpa Ndoneyo-Awa Road dualisation and the Ekom Imam-Etinan Circus Road dualisation in Akwa Ibom State.
Justice Oshoma in his ruling declared that the invasion of the private residence, arrest and detention of William by the EFCC and his incessant invitation to the office of the anti-graft agency was in violation of his fundamental human rights guaranteed under sections 34 and 35 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The court also ordered the commission to publish an apology in a national newspaper to the applicant for violating his fundamental rights.
The court also declared that the forceful entry into the home of William by operatives of the commission and the destruction of his property was in breach of his fundamental rights.
