Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has awarded N2 million in damages to comedian Chukwu Chinedu George, popularly known as Song of the Sam and Song comedy duo, after ruling that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission violated his constitutional rights during a raid on his residence in 2025. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, was announced by the comedian's lawyers, Law Capitol Stanley Alieke & Co., in a statement confirming the outcome of the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed on his behalf.
According to the law firm, EFCC operatives forcefully broke into Song's home in 2025 based on an unfounded suspicion that he was involved in fraud. "In 2025, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forcefully broke into the home of our client, Mr. Chukwu Chinedu George, popularly known as Song, a renowned entertainer and one-half of the Sam and Song comedy duo, on the unfounded premise that he was a fraudster," the statement read. The lawyers subsequently approached the court to enforce their client's fundamental rights in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/5084/25 – Mr. Chukwu Chinedu George v. EFCC.
In its judgment, the court held that the invasion of the comedian's residence breached his constitutional right to privacy. "The invasion of his home was a breach of his constitutional right to privacy," the statement quoted the court as holding. The court also found that the manner in which the EFCC operatives carried out the operation was unlawful. "The use of excessive force, particularly the breaking down of his door, was unlawful and unjustifiable, especially in the absence of any resistance," the statement added.
The law firm said the court consequently awarded damages in favour of its client. Reacting to the judgment, the firm described the decision as a reaffirmation of the constitutional rights of Nigerians. "This decision reinforces a vital principle: the rights of every citizen must be respected and protected at all times," the statement said. The lawyers also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of their clients. "At our firm, we remain at the forefront of defending these rights, ensuring that our clients obtain the justice and remedies they deserve whenever their rights are infringed," the statement added.
The ruling is the latest in a series of judicial rebukes against the anti-graft agency over its enforcement tactics. In May 2026, a Federal High Court in Lagos awarded N10 million in damages against the EFCC and Multichoice for an unlawful raid on the offices of Metro Digital. In a separate case, the court had earlier ordered the EFCC to pay photographer N5 million for defamation over an unlawful publication of his image. The recurring pattern of judicial sanctions against the EFCC has raised questions about the agency's operational conduct and the limits of its statutory powers.
The judgment in favour of Chukwu Chinedu George serves as a reminder that the EFCC, like all government agencies, is bound by the Constitution and must respect the fundamental rights of citizens, even in the course of carrying out its statutory functions. The court's finding that the use of excessive force in the absence of resistance was unlawful underscores the importance of proportionality in law enforcement operations. For the comedian, the N2 million damages represent not just compensation but a vindication of his rights and a warning to security agencies that impunity will not be tolerated.
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