The Federal High Court in Benin City has dismissed a N504.3 million damages claim filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a sting operation carried out in May 2023.
In the suit, Christopher E. Mene, Esq. sought N4.37 million as special damages for damaged doors and N500 million as exemplary damages, alleging that EFCC operatives unlawfully broke into his property during the operation.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, September 25, 2025, Justice C.A. Obiozor held that the plaintiff failed to prove entitlement to either special or exemplary damages. The court noted that evidence presented by the EFCC showed that criminals were arrested on the premises, with 18 already convicted and sentenced by a competent court.
Justice Obiozor further ruled that any claim for damages should have been directed at the plaintiff’s tenants, who had agreed in their tenancy contracts not to use the property for illegal purposes and to indemnify the landlord against any resulting damages.
The judge emphasized that EFCC’s actions were neither excessive nor oppressive, affirming the powers of law enforcement agencies to enforce the law. Citing Section 12(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, he said: “Let law enforcement agencies breathe and be allowed to do their work.”
