By Adeosun opeyemi
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the release of a Babcock University student, Miss Oluwateniola Omidiji, who was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to a debt owed by her widowed mother, Mrs. Omoniyi Omidiji.
In a fundamental rights lawsuit (FHC/L/CS/759/224), Miss Omidiji alleged that she was taken hostage by EFCC operatives over a debt allegedly owed by her mother to Mr. Charles Nwoko. Nwoko claimed he invested the sum of N100,000,000 into Mrs. Omidiji's business in 2020 and was pursuing the debt and interest from Oluwateniola since her mother, his joint venture partner, is out of Nigeria.
Justice Y. Bogoro granted the order for Oluwateniola's release following an application for the enforcement of her fundamental human rights, brought by her lawyer, Emeka Chijioke SAN of Auxano Law Chambers. Oluwateniola, who is 19 years old, had been detained by the EFCC for 11 days.
The court found that Oluwateniola was only a minor when her mother entered into the partnership with Mr. Nwoko and that it was wrong for the EFCC to hold her hostage for her mother's alleged wrongdoing. Oluwateniola had contended that the transaction was a civil matter and asked the court to order the EFCC to leave her out of the issue and pay her N10,000,000 as damages for the violation of her fundamental rights.
The court adjourned further hearing in the suit until May 21, 2024.
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