The Federal High Court in Lagos has cleared the management and staff Edmark Direct Marketing Limited of a forgery allegation by Mr. Maurice Anthony Etim.
Justice Daniel Osiagor also awarded damages against Etim, holding that the police acted improperly in investigating the firm.
Etim had accused Edmark of forgery, but the court held the complaint constituted an abuse of the court and an attempt at “self-help.”
Edmark management took legal action to safeguard its rights following alleged threats by Etim.
The court granted Edmark’s application and ruled that the police did not have the authority to investigate allegations of forgery of Mr. Etim’s signature concerning the operations, control, and management of Edmark Direct Marketing because a forensic investigation report had already been completed.
The court held that the request by the police to Edmark’s staff members to assist in any investigation activities related to forgery claims is a gross infringement of their fundamental rights and is thus illegal, unconstitutional, null, and invalid.
Justice Osiagor declared that the forensic investigative report obtained by the police on July 18, 2022, is conclusive and binding on the police in relation to any and all charges of the forging of Mr. Etim’s signature in relation to the operations, control and management of Edmark Direct Marketing.
While a forensic investigative report had already been completed, the police were barred from conducting any further inquiry into any and all charges of forgery of Mr. Etim’s signature in relation to the firm’s operations.
The court granted an order prohibiting the police from compelling Edmark’s staff to attend any meeting, interview, or honour any invitation in any way regarding the forgery charges.
Justice Osiagor awarded Edmark management N50,000 in general damages, clearing the company of any wrongdoing in relation to the alleged forgery case.