Court Orders EFCC to Pay Agunloye N10m Over Defamatory ‘$6bn Fraud’ Post

​The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ruled against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a defamation suit brought by former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye.

​In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Justice Peter Kekemeke ordered the anti-graft agency to pay N10 million in damages to the former minister. The court found that a publication posted on the commission’s official website and its X (formerly Twitter) handle, titled “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6 billion fraud,” was false, defamatory, and injurious to the former minister’s reputation.

​Court Findings

​Justice Kekemeke highlighted that the EFCC, as an investigative body, failed to uphold the standard of accurate communication. Key points from the ruling include:

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• ​Absence of Fraud Charges: Upon reviewing the criminal charges currently pending against Agunloye at the Apo Division of the FCT High Court, the judge observed that the word “fraud” was entirely absent. He noted that the agency’s headline was “sensational” and did not reflect the actual legal proceedings.
• ​Malicious Publication: The court held that the EFCC was aware that the former minister was not standing trial for a “$6 billion fraud.” Consequently, the judge concluded that the publication was malicious and intended to lower Agunloye’s reputation in the eyes of the public.
• ​Failed Defense: An Assistant Commissioner of Police, Umar Hussain Babangida, who testified for the EFCC, initially attempted to distance the commission from the publication but eventually admitted that it originated from the commission’s own media department. The court ruled that the EFCC failed to prove the truth of its claims.

​Directives to the Commission

​In addition to the monetary penalty, the court issued the following orders:

• ​Retraction: The EFCC is mandated to retract the defamatory publication.
• ​Public Apology: The agency must publish an unreserved apology on its website and in two national newspapers.
• ​Restraint: The court issued a perpetual injunction prohibiting the commission from making further defamatory statements against the former minister.

​EFCC’s Response

​Reacting to the verdict, the commission’s counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), expressed his disagreement with the ruling. He announced that the EFCC intends to appeal the decision, arguing that the defamation suit was premature given that the main criminal case against Agunloye is still ongoing.

​The ongoing criminal trial, which is separate from this defamation suit, centers on allegations regarding the award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.