A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Telcom Satellite Television Service (TSTV), Dr. Bright Echefu.
He sought to stop the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from investigating the allegation of N2bn fraud against him.
A former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), petitioned the police, alleging that his N2bn investment in TSTV had been fraudulently diverted.
Echefu filed a suit (marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/234/2024) to prevent the IGP and his agents from conducting an investigation into the case.
Echefu argued that the police have no power under any known laws to investigate civil transactions, such as the ex-Minister’s N2bn investment.
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Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment, held that the suit by Echefu was frivolous and lacking in merit.
He ruled that the allegations against Echefu were related to stealing and misappropriating N2bn investment and not debt recovery.
The judge stated that the police are empowered to inquire into allegations of stealing and misappropriation.
He also mentioned that Echefu failed to provide concrete evidence to demonstrate that there was no stealing and misappropriation, despite claiming that the matter was a contractual one.
In summary, the court dismissed the case, stating that there were no grounds to interfere with the statutory power of the police to investigate the petition by Kabiru Turaki.
