A Nigerian based abroad, Oluwatosin Adekunle, has filed a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, challenging his declaration as a wanted person.
In an affidavit dated August 24, 2026, Adekunle alleged that the EFCC declared him wanted on August 19 and published the notice on its official website and social media platforms without first obtaining a court order. He is asking the court to declare the action unlawful and unconstitutional and direct the commission to remove the publication.
Adekunle is also seeking an order preventing the EFCC from further declaring him wanted or taking actions that could violate his fundamental rights, including his rights to personal liberty, private and family life, freedom of movement, and protection from inhuman or degrading treatment.
He is further asking the court to compel the EFCC to issue a public apology and pay N5 million in general damages.
According to Adekunle, the matter stems from a case involving his business partner, Mrs Victoria Chidinma Nwachukwu, who he said was being investigated by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and obtaining money under false pretences. He alleged that Nwachukwu incorporated Oasis Vivacity Global Limited using his residential address and made him a director and bank account signatory without his knowledge.
Adekunle claimed that after Nwachukwu allegedly became indebted to a customer and could not be located, the EFCC began intimidating and harassing him in an attempt to arrest and detain him instead. He maintained that there was no complaint or prima facie evidence directly linking him to the alleged offences.
He also alleged that his family had become concerned following threats of arrest against him or members of his family if the commission could not locate him. Adekunle argued that the EFCC could not lawfully declare him wanted without judicial authorisation, particularly where there was no arrest warrant or evidence that he had escaped from lawful custody.
SOURCE: VANGUARD
