Court orders EFCC to pay pastor, wife N10 million for unlawfully declaring them wanted, publicly apologize

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suffered a setback when the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, fined it N10 million for falsely listing Pastor Oyinmiebi Biribena and his wife, Pastor Beatrice Biribena, as wanted without a court order.

The case was heard by Justice Dashen, who decided in favor of Pastor Biribena, the leader of the Christ Embassy Church in Kumasi, Ghana.

The pastor and his wife were declared wanted by the EFCC on June 8, 2022, and the court found this announcement to be illegal, unconstitutional, and unjustifiable.

The judge ruled that EFCC had to publicly apologize to Pastor Biribena and his spouse for the incorrect publishing as a result of the unfair act.

The Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N10 million for mistakenly naming Pastor Oyinmiebi Biribena and his wife, Pastor Beatrice Biribena, as wanted without a court order. This was a setback for the EFCC.

After hearing the case, Justice Dashen rendered a decision that favored Pastor Biribena, the pastor of the Christ Embassy Church located in Kumasi, Ghana.

On June 8, 2022, the EFCC proclaimed the preacher and his wife wanted. The court ruled that this declaration was unlawful, unconstitutional, and unjustified.

The judge decided that because of the unjust behavior, the EFCC was required to publicly apologize to Pastor Biribena and his husband for the inaccurate publication.

Despite the plaintiffs’ request for ₦100 million in damages, the court awarded ₦10 million as exemplary damages against EFCC.