The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, which awarded ₦10 million in damages to former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, over a publication concerning the alleged $6 billion Mambilla Power Project fraud.
The appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday, July 10, 2026, by the EFCC’s counsel, Wahab Shittu, SAN, according to a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
The appeal challenges the entire judgment delivered on July 8, 2026, by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024.
According to the EFCC, it is dissatisfied with the trial court’s decision, which held that its social media publication concerning Agunloye was false, defamatory and damaging to the former minister’s reputation.
The Commission’s appeal is based on 11 grounds and seeks four principal reliefs, including an order allowing the appeal, setting aside the High Court’s judgment, dismissing Agunloye’s claims in their entirety and granting any further orders the Court of Appeal considers appropriate.
Justice Kekemeke had ruled in favour of Agunloye and awarded him ₦10 million in damages after finding that the EFCC’s publication defamed him.
In addition to the appeal, the EFCC has filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the High Court’s judgment pending the determination of the appeal.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.
