The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified investigation of Engineer Michael Orugbo, an aide of former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori, despite a court order declaring his detention illegal.
Engineer Orugbo was detained for six days by the EFCC in the course of its investigation. The applicant dragged EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation before a Federal High Court in Lagos, alleging that his right has been violated by the crime-busting agency.
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According to his counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Gbahabo, “There is no law in this country, including the EFCC Act, that allows or permit any organization to detain any person indefinitely in the name of investigation. He urged the court to declare the detention of his client illegal.
However, in a counter affidavit sworn to by an investigating police officer attached to the EFCC, Superintendent of Police Yahaya Bello, the deponent averred that Engineer Michael Orugbo was alleged to be the central figure in a case of criminal diversion of public funds, abuse of office and money laundering against Chief Ibori.
Mr. Bello averred further that during the bid for NAFCON, Orugbo’s company, O-Secul Nigeria Ltd, was used to secure the acquisition of NAFCON on behalf of James Ibori in the sum of 152 million dollars. Mr. Orugbo was also alleged to be the promoter and owner of Notore Chemical Industries, the companies have the same Corporate Affairs Commission Registration Certificate number RC 640303 and the directors are the same.
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In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim Ndagi Auta said the court cannot stop a constitutional authority from performing its usual functions and declined to grant perpetual injunction against the EFCC. He also ruled that the detention of the applicant for six days had breached his constitutional right to personal liberty. He described the arrest and detention as unlawful.
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