A Lagos State High Court has barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from arresting or detaining Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited and more than 200 other applicants over an ongoing investigation.
Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi granted the first prayer in an application for an interim injunction filed by the applicants through their lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN.
The applicants comprise the two Honda companies, their officers, dealers, distributors, business associates and several other individuals and businesses seeking protection of their fundamental rights in connection with the EFCC investigation.
They had asked the court to restrain the commission and its officials from arresting or detaining them, compelling them to appear for questioning, issuing further invitations or subjecting them to harassment, intimidation and threats of arrest.
They also sought an order preventing the EFCC from restricting their freedom without complying with the provisions of the Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and other relevant laws.
The court granted the first prayer, which, according to the application, covered the reliefs sought in prayers two to six.
The suit was instituted under Sections 34, 35, 37, 40, 43 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
The matter was adjourned until November 23, 2026, for further proceedings.
