Bauchi State High Court No. 14, sitting in Bauchi in Suit No. BA/54M/2025, has issued a notice of contempt against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the suit between JAFSAD Resources Enterprises, M.S. Farhan Agro Nigeria Ltd., Aliyu Adamu, Nasiru Sabo, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Dare Folarin (Head of Economic Governance EG1 EFCC Abuja), the court issued Form 48 – “Applicants/Respondents Contemnors Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Court Order.”
The court stated: “Notice is hereby given to the contemnor that except you obey the directions obtained in the order annexed hereto, you will be guilty of contempt of court and liable to be committed to prison. Dated this 12th day of March, 2025.”
Previously, the court had granted an injunction restraining the EFCC from harassing JAFSAD Resources Enterprises, M.S. Farhan Agro Nigeria Ltd., Aliyu Adamu, and Nasiru Sabo.
This injunction was granted in response to the applicants’ motion for the enforcement of their fundamental rights to human dignity, liberty, and property as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 4, 5, and 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap 10 LFN 2004.
The court order, dated 30th January 2025, was issued by Hon. Justice A.S. Ningi presiding. The judge considered the motion ex parte, supported by the affidavit, annexures, and exhibits A, B, C, D, E, and F. The court also took into account the written address adopted as the oral submission of the applicants.
The judge stated: “I have considered the motion ex parte, the affidavit in support, the annexures, and the exhibits. After also considering the written address, adopted as the oral submission of the applicants, and Order 4 Rules 3 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, the law provides reliefs which this court can grant.”
He further ruled: “In the exercise of my discretion under the law, it is hereby ordered as follows: an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondent from taking further steps in connection with the matter, maintaining the status quo, or staying all actions pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
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