A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acted outside the bounds of the law by defacing private properties with investigation markings without first securing a court order.
Delivering judgment in a civil suit on July 2, 2025, Justice J.K. Omotosho ruled in favour of two citizens who challenged the EFCC’s practice of painting “EFCC UNDER INVESTIGATION, KEEP OFF” on their buildings, despite no criminal charges having been filed.
“This act is not only unconstitutional but also degrading and unjustified,” the judge ruled. “The EFCC’s actions infringed on the plaintiffs’ rights under Sections 34 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect dignity and property ownership.”
The court awarded ₦200,000 in general damages and ordered the immediate removal of the inscriptions from the properties. Officials of the court were also authorised to enforce compliance within 24 hours.
Justice Omotosho stated that “investigative powers must be exercised within constitutional boundaries” and insisted that “no agency has the authority to unilaterally declare property under investigation without judicial oversight.”
The plaintiffs, represented by counsel H.A. Kwrabai, had argued that the EFCC’s actions caused serious reputational harm. “This judgment reinforces the principle that the rule of law must always guide institutional conduct,” the lawyer said after the ruling.
The EFCC argued that the markings were a preventive measure to secure the properties during investigations. However, the court dismissed this defense due to lack of judicial backing.
Additionally, the court issued an injunction preventing the EFCC from further defacing or interfering with the plaintiffs’ properties unless a valid court order is obtained.
The judgment is seen as a landmark victory for property rights and due process in Nigeria.
