Fidelity Bank cleared by Appeal Court in fundamental rights case

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has cleared Fidelity Bank Plc of liability in a fundamental rights case, overturning a previous ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

The case was initiated by Michael Kundera, who sought to enforce his fundamental rights following his arrest and detention in May 2023. Kundera had alleged that he was detained without being charged in court or granted administrative bail. The respondents in the initial suit included the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, an EFCC officer named Calistus, and Fidelity Bank Plc.

In April 2024, the FCT High Court had ruled that the arrest and detention were unlawful, ordering the respondents to pay Kundera ₦10 million for the violation plus ₦2 million in legal costs. However, a three-member panel led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko delivered a judgment on September 14, allowing the bank’s appeal and reversing the lower court's finding of liability.