By Esther Olaoluwa
The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Alexander Owoeye, has dismissed a fundamental rights lawsuit filed by Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court ruled on Thursday, November 28, 2024, that Bobrisky’s claims lacked merit and were unsupported by credible evidence.
In the suit, Bobrisky accused the EFCC of violating his rights through harassment and unlawful detention following his arrest on April 4, 2024, over alleged Naira abuse.
He sought ₦200 million in damages and a perpetual injunction to prevent further arrests or harassment by the EFCC and its agents. He also included the National Assembly in the case. Delivering judgment, Justice Owoeye stated: “Having evaluated the evidence placed before this Court by the Applicant, it is evident that the Applicant has failed to provide credible evidence to justify the award of the declaratory and injunctive reliefs sought by him.”
The court concluded that the claims of rights violations were not substantiated by the affidavit evidence, “In the final analysis, I hold the claims of violation of fundamental rights against the 1st and 2nd Respondents were not made out of the affidavit evidence placed before this Court. The claim of the Applicant against the 1st to the 2nd Respondents hereby lacks merit and is liable to be dismissed. It is accordingly dismissed.”
The court also dismissed Bobrisky’s request for ₦200 million in damages, citing insufficient evidence. This decision follows Bobrisky’s earlier conviction on April 12, 2024, by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was sentenced to six months in prison.
