In a landmark ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court delivered a significant directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), instructing the reimbursement of a staggering N9 billion to former First Bank executive director, Dauda Lawal. The five-member panel, led by Judge Muhammad Lawal Garba, unanimously dismissed the EFCC’s appeal, upholding the decision of the Court of Appeal.
As reported by Punch, the Supreme Court’s decision “sets aside the findings given by Coram Judge Hassan, J. of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/13/2017 on February 16, 2017.” This annuls the previous final forfeiture of N9,080,000,000.00 (nine billion and eighty million naira) to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the amount is now promptly owed to Dauda Lawal.
In the case of EFCC vs DAUDA LAWAL, Appeal No. SC.212/2020, the Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeal, establishing Mr. Lawal’s rightful claim to the entire confiscated sum. Consequently, the N9,080,000,000.00 is to be returned to Mr. Lawal immediately in light of the court’s favorable decision.
This ruling essentially concludes the EFCC’s case against Mr. Lawal, who faced charges initially filed in May 2016. The outcome marks a significant victory for Mr. Lawal, as he reclaims a substantial sum that was previously subject to forfeiture.
