A Nigerian based abroad, Oluwatosin Adekunle, has instituted a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his declaration as a wanted person by the anti-graft agency.
Adekunle is asking the court to declare the EFCC’s action unlawful and unconstitutional, alleging that it violated his fundamental rights.
The EFCC had declared Adekunle wanted in August alongside Victoria Chidinma Nwachukwu in connection with alleged offences including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent diversion of funds.
In an affidavit dated August 24, 2026, Adekunle alleged that the EFCC declared him wanted on August 19 and published the notice on its official website and social media platforms without obtaining an order or leave of court.
He is asking the court to order the commission to remove the publication from its website and social media platforms.
Adekunle is also seeking an injunction restraining the EFCC from further publishing his name as a wanted person or taking any action that could infringe on his fundamental rights to personal liberty, private and family life, freedom of movement, and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment.
He is further asking the court to compel the EFCC to issue a public apology and pay him N5 million in general damages.
According to him, “the EFCC’s action arose from a matter involving his business partner, Mrs Victoria Chidinma Nwachukwu, who he said had a case before the commission bordering on alleged money laundering and obtaining money under false pretences.”
Adekunle alleged that Nwachukwu incorporated Oasis Vivacity Global Limited using his residential address as the company’s office address, while also making him a director and signatory to the company’s bank account without his prior knowledge.
He said the matter worsened after Nwachukwu allegedly became indebted to a customer and could no longer be located by the EFCC.
Adekunle alleged that the commission subsequently began intimidating and harassing him in an attempt to arrest and detain him in place of Nwachukwu.
He further claimed that there was no complaint or prima facie evidence directly linking him to money laundering or obtaining money under false pretences, apart from his alleged role as an agent.
Adekunle also alleged that members of his immediate family had become apprehensive following alleged threats by the EFCC to arrest him or any member of his family if the commission was unable to locate him.
He argued that the EFCC could not unilaterally declare him wanted without a valid court order.
Adekunle maintained that declaring an individual wanted constituted a legal status requiring judicial authorisation, arguing that where no arrest warrant had been issued and there had been no escape from lawful custody, such a declaration had no legal foundation.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.