Babcock University student misses exams because of EFCC

A 300-level Nursing Science student at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Oluwateniola Omidiji, finds herself embroiled in a legal battle after being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged debt owed by her mother, Mrs. Omoniyi Omidiji.

The 19-year-old student was apprehended by EFCC operatives from the Lagos zone on April 26, 2024, directly from the school premises. The arrest was reportedly linked to a business transaction involving her widowed mother back in 2020.

In a case marked FHC/L/CS/759/224, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Miss Omidiji claims that she was detained by EFCC operatives concerning a debt allegedly owed by her mother to Mr. Charles Nwoko from a business deal.

According to Nwoko, he invested a substantial sum of N100,000,000 into Mrs. Omidiji’s business, where Oluwateniola was also a partner. The investment was made in 2020, during Mrs. Omidiji’s absence abroad.

EFCC’s investigation, conducted at the Corporate Affairs Commission, revealed four individuals listed as directors in a company named Elisto Global Services Limited. This company allegedly received funds from Mr. Nwoko on behalf of Mrs. Omidiji.

Meanwhile, Oluwateniola has been detained in an EFCC facility for ten days, coinciding with her school’s examination period.

Court documents reveal that EFCC has maintained that Oluwateniola, being listed as a director of Elisto, should be held accountable for her mother’s involvement in the business deal with Mr. Nwoko.

However, Oluwateniola’s legal representative, Chijioke Emeka, SAN, argues that she was a minor at the time of the business agreement, having been only 16 years old. Emeka seeks enforcement of Oluwateniola’s fundamental human rights, including human dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.

In the court filing, Emeka demands N10,000,000 in damages for Oluwateniola, highlighting the breach of her fundamental rights.

Efforts to reach the EFCC’s head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, for comment were unsuccessful. Additionally, no date has been set for further hearing of the case.