A Nigerian resident abroad, Oluwatosin Adekunle, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his declaration as a wanted person by the anti-graft agency.
Adekunle is asking the court to declare the EFCC’s action unlawful, unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.
In an affidavit dated August 24, 2026, the applicant alleged that the EFCC declared him wanted on August 19 and published the notice on its official website and social media platforms without obtaining an order or leave of court.
He is seeking an order directing the commission to remove the publication from its website and social media platforms.
Adekunle is also asking the court to restrain the EFCC from further publishing his name as a wanted person or taking any action that could infringe on his fundamental rights to personal liberty, private and family life, freedom of movement, and freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment.
He is further seeking a public apology from the commission and N5 million in general damages.
According to Adekunle, the dispute arose from a matter involving his business partner, Mrs Victoria Chidinma Nwachukwu, who he said was being investigated by the EFCC over allegations bordering on money laundering and obtaining money under false pretences.
He alleged that Nwachukwu incorporated Oasis Vivacity Global Limited using his residential address as the company’s office address and listed him as a director and signatory to the company’s bank account without his knowledge.
Adekunle said the situation worsened after Nwachukwu allegedly became indebted to a customer and could no longer be located by the EFCC.
He alleged that the commission subsequently began intimidating and harassing him in an attempt to arrest and detain him in place of Nwachukwu.
The applicant further claimed that there was no complaint or prima facie evidence directly linking him to money laundering or obtaining money under false pretences, apart from his alleged role as an agent.
He also alleged that members of his immediate family became apprehensive following purported threats by EFCC officials to arrest him or any member of his family if the commission could not locate him.
Adekunle argued that the EFCC lacked the power to unilaterally declare him wanted without a valid court order.
He maintained that a declaration of a person as wanted amounted to a legal status requiring judicial authorisation, arguing that where no warrant of arrest had been issued and there had been no escape from lawful custody, such a declaration lacked legal foundation.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
