By Adedapo Adesanya
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights suit instituted by a Binance Executive, Mr Nadeem Anjarwalla, who is currently at large, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The case was dismissed due to the absence of Mr Anjarwalla’s legal team during the proceedings.
Mr Anjarwalla had approached the court, seeking a declaration that his detention by Nigerian authorities was unlawful.
He also filed a request for costs in his favour, arguing that his detention caused him emotional and financial strain as well as his family, and relatives.
Earlier, his legal representative, Mr Tonye Krukrubo, withdrew from the case without giving a specific reason. The withdrawal occurred after reports surfaced that Mr Anjarwalla had fled the country from detention.
Mr Krukrubo formally submitted a Notice of Withdrawal of Legal Representation, prompting Justice Ekwo to acknowledge that Mr Anjarwalla no longer had legal counsel in his suit.
The judge adjourned the case, expecting Mr Anjarwalla to secure new legal representation promptly. During the recent court proceedings, despite the case being called, neither Mr Anjarwalla nor legal representation from either party appeared before Justice Ekwo, who subsequently issued an order striking out the fundamental rights case.
Mr Anjarwalla filed the case against the NSA and EFCC, alongside Mr Tigran Gambaryan in custody, seeking an order to release them from detention.
However, he escaped from the Nigerian government’s custody on March 22 and fled the country and is believed to be hiding in Kenya.
Mr Anjarwalla and Mr Gambaryan’s suits were filed before Justice Ekwo.
In the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24, respectively, the duo sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents. They had sought the same relief from the court.