By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has awarded ₦5 million in damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for unlawfully posting the picture of an arrested individual on social media without due conviction.
The case was brought to light by Pelumi Olajengbesi & Co. Law Corridor, with Pelumi Olajengbesi, the founding partner and principal managing, leading the charge pro bono. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Olajengbesi highlighted the injustice inherent in EFCC’s practice of publicly showcasing individuals arrested for alleged crimes without due process.
The case centered around the arrest of Nasiru Saidu Ali, a young photographer from Nassarawa State, whose image was broadcasted across EFCC’s social media platforms. After extensive legal proceedings, Honorable Justice Okoro of Court 6 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered a landmark judgment.
The Court declared EFCC’s actions unconstitutional, emphasizing that they violated Ali’s right to the presumption of innocence by publicly posting his picture without a conviction of guilt. As a result, the Court ordered EFCC to pay ₦5 million in exemplary, punitive, and general damages to Ali. Additionally, the EFCC was directed to issue a public apology to the young photographer.
In a personal note shared by Olajengbesi, he commemorated the anniversary of his marriage to his wife, reflecting on the challenges and growth experienced in navigating a marriage between two lawyers. Despite the obstacles, their journey remains one of profound love and development.