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Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Abiodun Agbele, has instituted a N500 million suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his detention without trial.
Agbele was arrested by the EFCC on June 27 over an alleged N1.3bn traced to Fayose’s personal account.
The anti-graft agency claimed Agbele was a channel through which the money was moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the governor during the build up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Agbele, in the suit filed by his lawyers, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Olalekan Ojo before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Abuja described his detention as illegal.
He prayed the court to award him the sum of N500m as damages for the alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
Citing relevant sections of the 1999 constitution as amended, Agbele sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to liberty, human dignity and acquisition of properties.
Agbele also urged Justice Olukayode Adeniyi to order the agency to effect his immediate release.
Counsel to EFCC, Raymond Ezekiel, at the commencement of the matter, yesterday prayed the court for an adjournment till today.
According to Ezekiel, this was to allow him time to respond to the constitutional issues raised by the applicant in the suit.
Despite Ozekhome’s objection, Justice Adeniyi adjourned the matter till today.