The Ohanaeze Youth Consultative Movement and Arewa Youth Consultative Movement have praised the Federal High Court in Lagos for nullifying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) order declaring Margaret Emefiele, wife of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, wanted. The court also directed the EFCC to pay her N3 million in damages and issue a public apology.

In a joint statement from Obinna Egondu and Kabiru Yusuf, the youth leaders hailed the judgement as a triumph for justice and the rule of law, underscoring the judiciary’s role as the defender of the common man against the interference of powerful individuals and institutions.

READ MORE: Court fines EFCC ₦3m for declaring Emefiele’s wife wanted

“We welcome and hail the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos which ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to issue a public apology to the wife of former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Margaret, as it ruled that the declaration was illegal,” the statement read.

The court ruled that the EFCC’s action of declaring Mrs. Emefiele wanted and publishing her photographs without any valid court order was illegal. Justice D.I. Dipeolu’s judgement mandates the EFCC to remove her name and photograph from its wanted persons list and issue an apology on its official website, as well as pay her N3 million in damages.

READ MORE: Emefiele: EFCC declares four persons wanted

“This is indeed a sound judgement and fair ruling aimed at protecting the fundamental human rights of Emefiele’s wife and maintaining the rule of law,” the statement continued. “We reiterate in agreement with the court verdict that it was illegal for the EFCC to publish the name and photograph of Mrs. Emefiele on its website as a wanted person without compliance with the provisions of Sections 41 and 42 of the ACJA, 2015, and without any valid charge or court order.”

The groups stressed that the judgement serves as a deterrent to other individuals and institutions that might consider engaging in similar actions against anyone.

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