Court Orders EFCC to Pay Pastor and Wife with N10 Million for Wrongful Declaration as Wanted

The Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ruled against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ordering them to pay Pastor Oyinmiebi Biribena and his wife, Pastor Beatrice Biribena, the sum of N10 million for wrongfully declaring them wanted without proper legal authority.

Presiding Judge Dashen delivered the verdict in favor of Pastor Biribena, who leads the Christ Embassy Church in Kumasi, Ghana. The court deemed EFCC’s publication on June 8, 2022, declaring the pastor and his wife wanted without a valid court order as unjust, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

As a consequence of this unjust action, the judge mandated EFCC to publicly apologize to Pastor Biribena and his wife for the wrongful publication.

Additionally, the court issued an injunction preventing EFCC from inviting, harassing, arresting, or detaining the plaintiffs until the ongoing legal suit (No. FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022) between Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and others versus EFCC is resolved.

The legal dispute arose from several contentious issues involving Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited, Pastor Oyinmiebi Biribena, and EFCC. The court ruled that EFCC’s seizure and sealing of properties jointly owned by Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Pastor Biribena in Biogbolo, Yenagoa, were wrongful and unlawful.

Furthermore, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining EFCC from inviting, arresting, detaining, or harassing the plaintiffs over disputes related to transactions with Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

Although the plaintiffs initially sought ₦100 million in damages, the court awarded ₦10 million as exemplary damages against EFCC.