Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos State has ordered the release of Miss Oluwateniola Omidiji, a Babcock University student allegedly detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a N100,000 debt owed by her mother, Mrs. Omoniyi Omidiji.
The judge granted the order on Friday following an application for the enforcement of Omidiji’s fundamental human rights brought by her lawyer, Mr. Emeka Chijioke (SAN). Omidiji, who is 19 years old, had spent 11 days in EFCC detention.
Justice Bogoro ruled in favor of Omidiji, stating, “I have considered the ex parte application, the extant laws under which the application was brought, and the affidavit supporting the application…, I hereby grant the reliefs sought.”
Omidiji was arrested by EFCC operatives on April 26, 2024, on the premises of Babcock University while she was writing exams.
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She was subsequently detained at the agency’s facility in Ikoyi, Lagos, until the court’s order was issued.
The fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/L/CS/759/224, was brought by Omidiji, who alleged that she was taken hostage by EFCC operatives over a debt that her mother allegedly owed to Mr. Charles Nwoko.
Nwoko had invested N100 million into Mrs. Omidiji’s business in 2020 and later demanded the sum and interest from Oluwateniola Omidiji when her mother was out of Nigeria.
During the investigation, EFCC discovered that Omidiji and three others were named directors in a company used by Mrs. Omidiji to receive money from Nwoko.
Omidiji, however, contended in her application that she was a minor at the time of the transaction and knew nothing about it.
She argued that holding her hostage over her mother’s alleged wrong was unjust.
The court, after ordering Omidiji’s release, adjourned further hearing in the suit till May 21.
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