National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Abraham Amah
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a ruling ordering the release of Miss Oluwateniola Omidiji, a Babcock University student, who was reportedly detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a N100,000 debt owed by her mother, Mrs Omoniyi Omidiji.
The order for Omidiji’s release came following an application for the enforcement of her fundamental human rights led by her legal representative, Mr. Emeka Chijioke (SAN), which was argued in court on Friday.
Omidiji a 19-year-old 300 Level student, was apprehended by EFCC operatives on the university premises on April 26 while sitting for exams. She had spent 11 days in detention at the EFCC facility in Ikoyi, Lagos, until the court intervened with its decision last Friday.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/759/224, Omidiji alleged that she was unjustly detained by the EFCC due to a debt claimed by Mr. Charles Nwoko, relating to a business venture involving her mother.
The EFCC maintained that Omidiji, being listed as a director in a company through which the debt was transacted, should be held accountable for her mother’s actions in the joint venture. However, Omidiji argued that she was a minor when the transaction took place and should not be implicated.
Seeking redress for the violation of her rights, Omidiji requested the court to grant her release and award her N10 million in damages for the ordeal she endured.
Justice Bogoro’s order to release Omidiji marks a significant step towards upholding justice and protecting individual rights. The court has adjourned further proceedings in the case till May 21, setting the stage for a potentially transformative legal battle ahead.
