The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by Bright Echefu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Telecom Satellites Limited (TStv), which sought to restrain a police investigation into the alleged theft and misappropriation of investors’ funds.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment on September 26, 2024, held that the mere claim of a contractual relationship between parties does not shield a person from being investigated for allegations of criminal acts arising from a civil transaction.
The allegation of misappropriation was leveled against Echefu by Mr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, who is also the Chairman of TStv. Turaki’s petition to the police, dated January 30, 2024, stated that all assets and properties of TStv had been stolen by Echefu and either sold or taken to unknown locations.
Echefu’s legal team had approached the court seeking to restrain the police from investigating the matter, arguing that it was a civil transaction and that the police lacked the constitutional and statutory powers to investigate and adjudicate over loan disputes arising from civil payments.
However, Justice Ekwo observed that the Plaintiff did not deny receiving several sums of money from the ex-Minister as investments in his company, and the case made against him “is that of theft and misappropriation.”
The judge emphasized that a citizen who is a victim of any criminal act has the right to report it to the police, and it is the duty of the Nigerian Police to investigate crimes. He stated that allowing a Plaintiff to walk away with the “treasures of his loot” on the grounds of a contractual matter would enhance a judicial victory for the undeserving.
In dismissing the case, Justice Ekwo concluded that the Plaintiff did not provide any compelling grounds for the court to interfere with the statutory powers of the police regarding a petition alleging that investments have been stolen and misappropriated.
The court’s decision paves the way for the police to continue their investigation into the allegations of misappropriation of funds by the TStv CEO.