LAGOS, NIGERIA - In a significant rebuke of law enforcement overreach, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi has declared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to declare businessman Ufoma Immanuel wanted as illegal and unconstitutional.
Presiding Judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, ruled on February 10, 2026, that the anti-graft agency acted in flagrant disobedience of existing court orders when it published the wanted notice in November 2025.
The court found that the EFCC bypassed the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and ignored pending proceedings at the FCT High Court.
By labelling Mr Immanuel a wanted man while legal processes were still active, the commission was found to have infringed upon his constitutional rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and dignity of the human person.
"Law enforcement agencies are bound to comply with subsisting court orders. They must operateemphasisednstitutional and statutory safeguards in carrying out enforcement actions," Justice Dipeolu emphasised during the judgment.
Beyond voiding the wanted declaration, the court issued a stern directive to the EFCC to undo the reputational damage caused to the businessman.
Justice Dipeolu directed that the EFCC must withdraw all publications declaring Ufoma Immanuel wanted.
The judge also ruled that the commission must issue a fresh public notice expressly stating the retraction of the previous declaration.
Justice Dipeolu awarded ₦5 million in damages against the EFCC to be paid to the applicant for the infringement of his rights.
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