Court Orders Immediate Release Of Oluwateniola Omidiji, A 19-Year-Old Student, From EFCC Custody
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided over by the Hon. Justice Y. Bogoro has ordered the immediate release of Miss Oluwateniola Omidiji from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Order was issued late evening on Friday, 3rd May, 2024.
We earlier reported that Miss Omidiji, 19, a third year Nursing student of Babcock University Ilishan-Remo was whisked away from the school’s premises on 26th April, 2024 by operatives of the Commission. The arrest was over a business deal entered into by her mother, Miss Omoniyi Omidiji with one Mr. Charles Nwoko, in 2020, which went awry. Miss Omidiji, who was 16 at the time and claims ignorance of the deal, has now been in EFCC’s custody for 11 days.
Investigation showed that four persons were named directors in a company called Elisto Global Services Limited, which is at the centre of the dispute. They are the Applicant’s mother; the investor, Mr. Nwoko; the Applicant’s brother and the Applicant. Oluwateniola has cried out to the Court for relief after EFCC operatives laid siege to her school and took her away in the midst of her exams.
But ruling in an urgent application brought in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/759/2024 by her lawyer, Chijioke Emeka, SAN of Auxano Law, wherein Miss Omidiji is seeking to enforce her fundamental rights, the Court ordered EFCC to release the teen pending the determination of her case against the Commission. The Court also ordered EFCC to stay all actions against Miss Omidiji until the case is determined.
The suit was adjourned to 21st May, 2024 for hearing.
