In opposition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted N15 million to the Koko-Ama village in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
Due to the EFCC’s alleged invasion and seizure of their beachfront, the community had already sued the agency for N100 billion in fundamental rights enforcement.
According to reports, the incident happened in 2023 while the EFCC was conducting an operation to stop alleged illegal oil bunkering.
In their lawsuit, the Koko-Ama people demanded N100 billion in damages for what they claimed was a breach of their basic human rights.
Justice Rita Oguguo, the presiding judge, declared in her ruling on Thursday that the EFCC lacked the authority to enter a whole village in pursuit of a single person.
As a result, she granted the EFCC N15 million in damages.
In addition, Justice Oguguo warned of future incursions under the pretense of following people and ordered the immediate departure of all police officers stationed at the community’s coastline within 24 hours.
Chime Sunday, the Koko-Ama community’s attorney, told reporters outside the courtroom that he was unhappy with the settlement amount.
“The community would examine the ruling and determine the next step,” Sunday stated.
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