By Yusuf Olukokun

The Federal High Court in Lagos has legally stopped Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from declaring Magaret Emefiele, wife of the Former Center Bank of Nigeria, as a wanted individual in the country.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu made this constitutional ruling on the core fundamental rights application filed by Mrs Magaret Emefiele.

Mrs. Emefiele went to court with fundamental charges against EFCC Chairman and the anti-graft agency at large submitting her suit against the ‘wanted’ declaration made by them without any court order.

In her prayers to the court, she urged the court to pronounce a judgment against the anti-graft agency; ordering them to remove her name from the wanted list on their website.

Justice Dipeolu in his judgement ruled that EFCC must pay three million naira fine to Mrs Emefiele, former wife of the CBN Governor.

Also, in the judgement held, Justice Dipeolu said it was abnormality to declare Mrs. Emefiele wanted as this was against the Administration of Criminal Justice Act(ACJA) section 41 and 42 of 2015.

The statement of the held judgment stated in part: “The Respondent is directed to immediately withdraw the publication of the Applicant’s name and photographs from the fist of persons wanted by the Respondents on its website.

“The respondents is directed to issue a public apology to the Applicant on its website where the name and photographs of the applicant was published among list of persons wanted.

“The Respondent is directed to immediately withdraw the publication of the Applicant’s name and photographs from the fist of persons wanted by the Respondents on its website.

“The respondents is directed to issue a public apology to the Applicant on its website where the name and photographs of the applicant was published among list of persons wanted.”