In a major legal victory, the Federal High Court in Warri has ruled in favor of Julius Oluwafunmisho Okedele, overturning cybercrime charges wrongly filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court also directed the anti-graft agency to issue a public apology in a widely circulated newspaper within 10 days of the judgment.
Wrongfully Accused, Unjustly Prosecuted
The case, originally filed as Charge No. FHC/WR/110C/2019, accused Akegor Godbless Omamuyovwi and two others, including Okedele, of involvement in cybercrime. However, Okedele—a legitimate bureau de change operator—was never informed of the charges, never arrested, and never given a chance to defend himself in court.
Shockingly, despite his full cooperation with the EFCC’s investigation, the agency listed him as a fugitive and continued prosecuting him in absentia—without his knowledge.
The situation took a devastating turn when Okedele discovered the case against him through the EFCC’s website, where the conviction of the main suspect was reported. The publicized charges led to irreparable damage to his reputation, including visa denials from the Canadian and U.S. embassies, as he was wrongly branded a fraudster.
Court Delivers Justice
On January 31, 2025, the Federal High Court ruled in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/104/2024, stating that Okedele’s fundamental human rights had been violated. The court struck out his name from the charge sheet and ordered the EFCC to publicly retract the accusations.
In a strong rebuke, the court declared that publishing charges against an individual without due process was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.
Will the EFCC Comply?
Despite receiving the certified true copy of the judgment at its Benin and Abuja offices, the EFCC has remained silent days after the ruling, raising concerns over whether the agency will comply with the court’s order.
For Okedele, the legal victory is a step towards reclaiming his reputation, but the lingering stigma of the wrongful prosecution continues to affect his life and business.
