An aide to governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Abiodun Agbele, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to court to challenge his detention without trial since last month by the anti-graft agency.
Agbele claimed that he had been dumped into the EFCC custody since June 27, 2016, in respect of an alleged N1.3billion reportedly traced to the personal account of Governor Fayose.
In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome and Olalekan Ojo, Fayose’s aide prayed the Abuja High Court to award him a sum of N500million as compensatory damages for his unlawful arrest and detention by EFCC.
In the motion on notice filed along with his originating summon, Agbele asked Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, to order his immediate release from EFCC detention.
The suit seeks enforcement of his fundamental rights to freedom of liberty, human dignity and the right to acquire and own property in line with provisions of the 1999 constitution.
He claimed that unless and except the high court comes to his rescue, his rights to freedom of liberty would continue to be trampled upon by the anti-graft agency.
However, when the matter came up, on Thursday, counsel to EFCC, Mr Raymond Ezekiel, prayed the judge to adjourn hearing of the suit till today( Friday ) , to enable him file his counter affidavit.
The counsel claimed that the case file was handed over to him on Wednesday afternoon and hence, he could not respond to the constitutional issues raised by the applicant in the suit.
Justice Adeniyi in his brief ruling, held that the request of EFCC was in good faith and granted it accordingly and fixed today (Friday), for hearing of the matter.