An interim order has been issued by the Abuja Division of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday, preventing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting former Defence Minister Lawal Batagarawa over an ongoing land dispute.
Justice Yusuf Halilu, who delivered the ruling, also prohibited the EFCC from summoning, harassing, or intimidating Mr Batagarawa until further court directives.
This order follows allegations that the ex-minister has been unfairly targeted by the anti-corruption body.
“The EFCC is hereby restrained from inviting, harassing, intimidating, or arresting Mr Batagarawa until further notice,” declared Justice Halilu, referencing the claims of undue pressure on the former minister.
In addition to the restraining order, the judge granted permission for the substituted service of court documents, allowing for the legal summons and originating processes to be served on the EFCC at its headquarters, located at Plot 301/302, Institution and Research Cadastral District, Jabi, Abuja.
The suit, referenced as case CV/4123/2024, names the EFCC, Sanusi Mohammed (head of the bank fraud section), Umar Imran (investigating police officer), Patrick Ineke, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.
Mr Batagarawa’s legal representative, Jerry Aondo (SAN), initiated the case, citing the EFCC’s actions as harassment and intimidation in relation to a disputed piece of land. In an affidavit submitted on September 20, 2024, Mr Batagarawa outlined several instances of mistreatment, including his detention by the EFCC from August 19 to 20, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. before being granted administrative bail.
The former minister also detailed a pattern of repeated summons and harassing phone calls from EFCC officials. He contended that these actions stemmed from false accusations orchestrated by the fourth respondent, Patrick Ineke, who claims ownership of the disputed land based on a purported transaction involving a deceased individual, Allah, and one Wilson Osuagwu, who had served as Mr Batagarawa’s orderly in 2001.
In his defense, Mr Batagarawa asserted that the land in question had been legally allocated to his company, Lamda Beta Investment Limited, by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in 2001. He further provided evidence of payments made, including a sum of N3,050,683.33 for the right of occupancy, which was deposited through Intercity Bank PLC on June 16, 2001.
The court has scheduled the case for further proceedings on October 31, 2024, when the substantive motion on the enforcement of Mr Batagarawa’s fundamental human rights will be heard.
