Breaking beer bottles ruled economic sabotage by court; EFCC to take action
A Federal Capital Territory court has ruled that the destruction of beer bottles in some parts of the country constitutes economic sabotage.
Sesugh Akume had dragged the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court sitting in the capital city of Abuja.
In a judgment delivered by Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja (Court 9) on May 20, 2024—whose certified true copy was obtained on August 16, 2024—the court declared that breaking bottles of alcoholic beverages and wasting their contents, for any reason, constitutes economic sabotage.
On pages 13 (paragraphs 4 and 5) and 14 (paragraph 1) of the judgment in the matter of Sesugh Akume v. Attorney General and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/275/2021), the court held that:
‘…the applicant contends that the 2nd respondent [i.e., EFCC] should investigate the actions of the Kano State Government in seizing, breaking, and extravagantly pouring away the liquid contents of bottles. This act affects the Value Added Tax (VAT) shared by the federal government with the states and local governments, including Kano State.
‘Economic sabotage is something that Nigeria as a nation must not tolerate and must strongly oppose. The 2nd respondent is duty-bound to monitor and prevent any acts of economic sabotage against the nation. However, this must be done according to established rules and procedures.’
Speaking in a statement sighted by journalists, Akume said, “This case, possibly for the very first time in Nigeria, establishes that breaking bottles of alcoholic beverages and wasting their contents constitutes economic sabotage (along with its consequences) and further establishes the duty of the EFCC to prevent, investigate, and prosecute such actions.”
He also commended the efforts of Rodney Adzuanaga, Esq., Daniel Awuapila, Esq., and Gwaza Shenge, Esq., for their legal skills and diligence in pursuing the matter.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
