Family Of Former NIMASA Boss Akpolobokemi Sues EFCC For N100m

Patrick Akpolobokemi

The Economic and Financial Crimes has been sued to court by the family members of former NIMASA boss who are seeking compensation over continuous threat and harassment by the anti-graft body.

The family of former Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpolobokemi has filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before a Federal High Court in Lagos. The suit was spearheded by Timi Beauty Akpobolokemi, the wife of the former NIMASA boss.

In an affidavit sworn to by brothers of Dr. Akpolobokemi for emotional and psychological damages, the family are asking the court for compensation of N100m.

According to SaharaReporters, Joseph Nwobike (SAN) who announced his appearance for the applicants, told the court that the EFCC might be unaware that the case had been transferred from Justice Ofili Ajumogbobia's court, where it was pending, to the present court being presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu.  He indicated he had not received any process from EFCC, and therefore asked for an adjournment of hearing.

In the said fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed before the court, the co-applicants alongside Mrs Akpobolokemi are Clement Akpobolokemi, Stephen Akpobolokemi, Julius Akpobolokemi and Victor Akpobolokemi, biological brothers of the former NIMASA boss.

The four brothers also alleged that they have been under constant threats of arrest and detention by EFCC on the account of been the brothers of Dr. Akpobolokemi, and that Julius’ bank accounts with Ecobank Plc and Diamond bank Plc have been frozen, as has Victor’s account with First bank of Nigeria.

Stephen also contended that by the actions of the anti-graft agency, their fundamental right to liberty has been breached.

Consequently, the applicants are asking for damages in the sum of N100Million against the EFCC for the irreparable emotional and psychological damages jointly and severally they have suffered. They are also urging the court to declare that the harassment and intimidation and the threat of their arrest and detention on account of their affinity with Dr. Akpolokemi are unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.

They are also urging the court to declare the freezing of their accounts to be illegal and to unfreeze them.

Justice Saidu adjourned the matter to February 4.