Varsity Student Detained By EFCC Demands N10m Damages For Rights Violation
Miss Oluwateniola Omidiji, a 19-year-old 300-level Nursing student at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has taken legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding N10,000,000 in damages for alleged violation of her fundamental rights to human dignity.
Omidiji’s ordeal began when she was arrested and detained by EFCC operatives from its Lagos Zonal Command on April 26, 2024, over an alleged debt owed by her mother, Mrs. Omoniyi Omidiji, to a business partner, Mr. Charles Nwoko.
The arrest, which occurred on the university premises, stemmed from a business transaction entered into in 2020 by Omidiji’s mother, who is a widow. Nwoko claimed that Mrs. Omidiji owed him N100,000,000 from the venture and pursued Oluwateniola for the debt and interest since her mother was out of Nigeria.
In a fundamental rights suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, marked FHC/L/CS/759/224, Omidiji alleged that she was unjustly detained by EFCC operatives over a debt she had no involvement in. Despite being a minor of 16 years at the time of the alleged transaction, she was held responsible due to her status as a director in a company used to receive the funds from Nwoko.
The applicant’s lawyer, Chijioke Emeka, SAN, argued that Omidiji was unaware of the business deal and should not be held accountable for her mother’s actions. Emeka contended that EFCC’s actions violated Omidiji’s rights to human dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.
While EFCC maintained that Omidiji should answer for her mother’s alleged crime, she pleaded with the court to exclude her from the matter and demanded compensation for the violation of her rights.
The case highlights the complexities of joint ventures and the legal ramifications for individuals, even minors, associated with such partnerships. As Omidiji seeks justice, the outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
