Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Benin City, has dismissed a ₦504.3 million damages suit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a sting operation carried out on May 23, 2023.
The plaintiff, Christopher E. Mene (Esq), had sought ₦4.37 million as special damages for alleged property damage and ₦500 million as exemplary damages, claiming EFCC operatives broke doors during the raid on his property.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Obiozor held that Mene failed to establish his entitlement to the claims. He noted that EFCC evidence showed criminals were arrested on the premises, with 18 already convicted.
The court further ruled that Mene’s grievances should have been directed at his tenants, who under their tenancy agreement undertook not to use the property for illegal activities and to indemnify the landlord for any resulting damages.
Declaring EFCC’s actions lawful, the judge said: “Let law enforcement agencies breathe and be allowed to do their work.” He also cited Section 12 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which empowers security operatives to forcibly enter premises when necessary in the course of lawful duties.
