Categories: GeneralLegal Opinion

Breaking Beer Bottles is Economic Sabotage, Federal High Court Holds

In judgement delivered by the Honourable Mr Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja (Court 9) on May 20, 2024—whose certified true copy was obtained today—the court declared that breaking bottles of alcoholic beverages and wasting the contents, for whatever reason, is economic sabotage.

According to Sesugh Akume, Esq., the applicant in the suit, “On pages 13 (paragraphs 4 and 5) and 14 (paragraph 1) of the judgement in the matter of Sesugh Akume v. Attorney-General and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/275/2021), the court held that:

‘…it is the contention of the applicant that the 2nd respondent [i.e., the EFCC] ought to investigate the common act of the Kano State Government in seizing, breaking, and extravagantly pouring away the liquid content of bottles, which forms part of the value-added tax being shared by the federal government between it, the state[s] of the federation, and the local government [system] inclusive of Kano State.

‘Now, economic sabotage Nigeria as a ‘nation’ must not be tolerated and must indeed be frowned at. The second respondent is duty-bound to put a check on and stop any act of economic sabotage to the nation.’ However, such must be done according to laid-down rules and procedures.’’

This case, possibly for the very first time in Nigeria, establishes that breaking bottles of alcoholic beverages and wasting their contents is an act of economic sabotage (along with its consequences) and further establishes the duty of the EFCC to prevent, investigate, and prosecute such actions.

I thank learned counsel Rodney Adzuanaga, Esq., Daniel Awuapila, Esq., and Gwaza Shenge, Esq., for their legal skills and diligence in pursuing this matter.” Mr. Akume added.

Source: loyalnigerialawyer

lawpavilion

Recent Posts

Restoring Credible Justice: Bridging The Gap Between Law And Public Trust In Nigeria’s Judiciary – By Chief Emeka Ozoani, SAN

Being a Paper Delivered At The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch Law Week, On…

5 hours ago

Saving the Soul of the Adversarial Legal System: Judicial Misconceptions, Public Perception, and the Imperative for Systemic Reform

By Sam Kargbo, SAN Abstract The adversarial legal system is built on the principle of…

5 hours ago

Understanding the Investment and Securities Act 2025 -By O. M. Atoyebi, SAN FCIArb. (U.K.)

CONTRIBUTOR: JANET UDOKA Introduction On March 31, 2025, the president signed into law the Investment…

5 hours ago

Nigeria’s Open Banking Revolution: Unlocking Financial Futures

Nigeria is on the cusp of a significant financial transformation, driven by its carefully crafted…

6 hours ago

Silent Exit: How INEC can Constitutionally Deregister Political Parties

CASE TITLE: LIBERATION MOVEMENT v. INEC & ORS LPELR 81136(CA)JUDGMENT DATE: 24TH JANUARY, 2025 JUSTICES:…

6 hours ago

Whether the Court Can Move to the Domain of Any Person for the Purpose of Taking His Evidence

CASE TITLE: GARUBA & ORS v. OMOREGIE (2025) LPELR-81463(CA) JUDGMENT DATE:  19TH JUNE, 2025 PRACTICE…

6 hours ago