The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the arrest of businessman Dickson Nonso Onuchukwu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unlawful, illegal, oppressive, and unconstitutional. Justice Akintayo Aluko stated that Onuchukwu's harassment, arrest, and detention violated his rights to dignity of human persons, personal liberty, and freedom of movement.
Onuchukwu, represented by his lawyer Anthony Omaghomi, filed suit FHC/L/CS/679/2018 against the EFCC, Inspector-General of Police (IG), and the Lagos Commissioner of Police for alleged defamation of character, harassment, and unlawful detention. He was arrested multiple times and paraded by the EFCC as being involved with Swiss Golden International Company, described by the commission as a Ponzi scheme.
Onuchukwu maintained that he provided evidence to the EFCC showing he was not affiliated with Swiss Golden International but was a customer. He argued that he was networking and growing his business seriously. He sought N1 billion in damages from the respondents.
Justice Aluko ruled that the EFCC acted illegally by arresting and detaining Onuchukwu based on petitions not against him and without any complaints lodged against him. The court ordered the EFCC to pay Onuchukwu N5 million, while the IGP and Police Commissioner were to pay N2 million each.
