Dr. Henry Akinduro, CEO of Global Signature Hotel and Total Grace Group Limited, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the agency of unlawfully declaring him wanted and violating his fundamental rights.
The EFCC had declared Akinduro wanted on October 11, 2024, via its official X account (formerly Twitter), linking him to fraud charges filed by Mr. Femi Olushakin. In response, Akinduro has challenged the declaration, arguing that it was made without judicial intervention or proper legal procedures.
Akinduro’s legal team, led by senior advocate Olakekan Ojo (SAN), filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday. They argued that the EFCC’s action was unlawful, as no court order or constitutional safeguards were followed before declaring him wanted.
In a statement, Akinduro’s legal representatives dismissed the fraud allegations as unfounded, asserting that the matter is a civil dispute stemming from a business disagreement between Akinduro and Olushakin. According to the legal team, the issue is already under litigation in a civil case (Suit No: I/875/2024), and the EFCC’s actions have no basis in criminal law.
“Our client views the EFCC’s public declaration as a malicious attack on his reputation,” the statement read. “He has engaged with the dispute through legitimate legal means, not fraudulent activities.”
Akinduro’s lawsuit claims that the EFCC’s actions amount to harassment and misuse of state power. He is urging the court to confirm that the dispute between him and Olushakin is civil in nature, not criminal. Olushakin has also filed a counterclaim regarding alleged unpaid investment returns, complicating the legal proceedings.
Akinduro, maintaining his innocence, called for a fair legal process, emphasizing that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. His legal team affirmed their commitment to challenging what they called unfounded and malicious allegations.
“Our client has always responded to this matter through responsible legal channels,” the statement concluded. “We are confident that the court will ultimately clear Dr. Akinduro of these baseless charges.”
The legal team also stressed that the business dispute was already being addressed in court before the EFCC issued its wanted declaration. They argued that the fraud allegations were a deliberate attempt to harm Akinduro’s reputation and business interests.
“We are confident in the judicial process, and we believe that justice will prevail,” the statement added.
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