Bauchi court issues contempt notice against EFCC

Segun Babatunde Awofadeji, Bauchi

Bauchi State High Court No. 14 holden at 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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Dare Folarin (Head of Economic Governance EG1 EFCC ABUJA), the Court issued Form 48 Applicants /Respondents Contempnors Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Court Order.

The Court stated that, “Notice is hereby given to the contemnor that except you obey the directions obtained in the order annexed hereto, you will be guilty of the

contempt of court and you will be liable to be committed to prison. Dated this

12th day of March, 2025.

The Court had earlier granted an injunction restraining the EFCC from harassing JAFSAD Resources Enterprises, M. S. Farhan Agro Nigeria Ltd, Aliyu Adamu and  Nasiru Sabo.

The injunction was granted in the matter of and application by the applicants for the enforcement of their fundamental rights to human dignity, liberty and acquire property enshrined in Sections 34, 35, 36, 37 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Refublic 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 Day of January, 2025 by Hon Justice A. S. Ningi presiding contained that upon hearing the Motion Ex-parte moved by Z. A Bubr ESQ. Learned Counsel to the Applicants dated 22/01/2025 and filed on the 23/01/2025; praying the Court for Orders as contained on the face of the Motion paper.

The Judge ruled that, “I have considered the Motion Ex-parte, the affidavit in support, the annexures, Exhibit A. B. C. D. E. F, and after considering the written address which was adopted as the oral submission of the Applicants.”

He further ruled, “I have indeed considered Order 4 Rule 3 and 4 of the

Fundamental Right Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, the law has made provision for the reliefs which this Court can grant.”

“And in the exercise of my discretion under the law; It is hereby ordered as follows: that an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondent from taking further step in connection with the matter or maintaining status qua or staying all actions pending the hearing and determination of this Application,” The Judge ordered. END