Court Rules Breaking Alcoholic Bottles, Wasting Contents Illegal, Economic Sabotage

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared that the destruction or disposal of alcoholic beverage bottles and their contents constitutes economic sabotage. The ruling was made on May 20, 2024, but the certified true copy of the judgment was only obtained on August 16, 2024.

Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over Court 9, delivered the verdict in the case of Sesugh Akume v. Attorney-General and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), identified as Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/275/2021. The judgment directly addresses the actions of the Kano State Government, which has been seizing, breaking, and pouring away the contents of alcoholic bottles, claiming it as part of its governance.

The court highlighted that such actions impact the Value Added Tax (VAT) shared among the federal government, state governments, and local government systems, including Kano State, and deemed this practice as economic sabotage. The judgment further stated that the EFCC has a duty to investigate and curb such practices, ensuring they align with established procedures.

In response to the ruling, Sesugh Akume, the applicant, noted the significance of the case in establishing that the destruction of alcoholic beverages by any state government is an act of economic sabotage. Akume emphasized the responsibility of the EFCC in preventing and prosecuting such actions.

He also expressed gratitude to his legal team, including Rodney Adzuanaga, Esq., Daniel Awuapila, Esq., and Gwaza Shenge, Esq., for their expertise and dedication in pursuing the case.