Unlawful Invasion: Court Orders EFCC, AGF To Pay Rivers Community N15m

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to pay ₦15m in damages to the Koko-Ama community in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area for the unlawful invasion of their waterside.

The community had instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit demanding N100m in compensation over the EFCC’s 2023 operation in the area, which was allegedly aimed at clamping down on suspected illegal oil bunkering activities.

The residents argued that the invasion and seizure of their waterfront violated their constitutional rights.

In the judgment delivered last Thursday, Justice Rita Oguguo held that the EFCC had no lawful basis to raid an entire community while targeting specific individuals.

She ruled that the agency’s actions amounted to a violation of the residents’ rights and awarded N15 million in compensation.

Justice Oguguo also directed the immediate withdrawal of all security personnel deployed to the Koko-Ama waterfront within 24 hours and cautioned against any future incursions under the pretext of law enforcement.

Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the Koko-Ama community, Chime Sunday, said the legal team was not satisfied with the amount awarded and would study the judgment before deciding on whether to appeal.

“We will review the judgment thoroughly and determine our next line of action,” he told reporters outside the courtroom.