Lawyer Sues EFCC Over Confiscation Of Visitors’ Phones At Its Premises, Says Policy Causes Financial Losses

A lawyer, Chukwudi Nneke Esq., has filed a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court Registry, Ikoyi, seeking to restrain the agency from compelling visitors to surrender their phones before gaining access to its premises.

The suit, with the reference number FHC/L/CS/870/2024, was filed on May 21, 2024, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given by Mr. Nneke to the EFCC to stop the practice.

In the suit, Mr. Nneke prayed the court to declare that the EFCC lacks the statutory power to compel visitors to submit their phones before gaining access to their premises. He also sought an order restraining the agency from continuing the practice and demanded damages for the business opportunities he lost while in the EFCC’s premises due to the denial of access to his phones.

The plaintiff stated that submitting his phones while in the defendant’s premises had caused him to lose business opportunities, citing two instances where he missed briefs because his clients could not reach him in emergency cases. As a result, other lawyers were engaged to take up the briefs. Mr. Nneke argued that the unlawful practice has continued to expose him to untold hardship, and until the court intervenes, he will continue to suffer losses.

Furthermore, the plaintiff mentioned two extreme cases where his family members were unable to reach out to him in emergency situations that required his attention.

In summary, Mr. Nneke sought the court’s intervention to save him from further financial losses by directing the EFCC to stop compelling visitors to surrender their phones before gaining access to the agency’s premises.