The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday awarded N10m in damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for defaming a former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, in a judgment delivered in a N10bn suit instituted by Agunloye, held that the anti-graft agency’s publication titled, “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6bn fraud,” was false and defamatory.
The former minister had sued the commission in suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024 through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe, alleging that the publication on the EFCC’s website and X handle portrayed him as a corrupt and fraudulent person and damaged his reputation.
Delivering judgment, Justice Kekemeke held that the publication contained all the ingredients of defamation, noting that it was in a permanent form and expressly identified Agunloye.
The judge also held that the EFCC’s sole witness, Assistant Commissioner of Police Umar Babangida, initially denied knowledge of the publication but later admitted during trial that it originated from the commission’s media department.
