EFCC Appeals Court Judgment Awarding Agunloye N10m Over Defamation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court that found the anti-graft agency liable for defaming former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, over a social media publication linking him to an alleged $6 billion Mambilla Power Project fraud.

The appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Friday, July 10, 2026, by the EFCC’s counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), challenging the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court, Maitama, on July 8.

According to the notice of appeal in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024, the EFCC expressed dissatisfaction with the trial court’s decision and is asking the appellate court to overturn the judgment in its entirety.

The commission is seeking four reliefs, including an order allowing the appeal, setting aside the judgment of the lower court, dismissing Agunloye’s suit in its entirety, and granting any further orders the Court of Appeal considers appropriate.

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Justice Kekemeke had ruled that the EFCC’s publication concerning Agunloye was false, defamatory, and injurious to the former minister’s reputation.

The court consequently, awarded Agunloye N10 million in damages against the commission.

In addition to the appeal, the EFCC, through its counsel, also filed an application for a stay of execution of the judgment, pending the determination of the appeal.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.