High-Stakes Battle: Sanwo-Olu Files Lawsuit Against EFCC Amid Arrest Fears

High-Stakes Battle: Sanwo-Olu Files Lawsuit Against EFCC Amid Arrest Fears

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has initiated legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming that he has been threatened with arrest, detention, and prosecution once his gubernatorial term ends…….CONTINUE READING 

The lawsuit, aimed at enforcing his fundamental rights, was filed with Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja by his attorney, Darlington Ozurumba.

During a court session on Tuesday, Ozurumba announced the withdrawal of a previous originating summons, stating it has been superseded by a revised filing. He confirmed that the EFCC has been served with the updated documents, although EFCC counsel Hadiza Afegbua mentioned that she had not yet received them, and proof of service was not available in the court file. The case has been adjourned until November 11 for further mention.

The original summons, submitted on June 6 and designated FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, raised seven questions and sought 11 specific reliefs from the governor, addressing concerns over potential actions from the anti-graft agency following the conclusion of his term.

Sanwo-Olu is seeking a declaration that, according to Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, he is entitled to the right to a private and family life, guaranteed both during and after his time in public office. He also aims for the court to affirm his right to acquire, own, operate, and manage both movable and immovable property, including bank accounts, under Sections 43 and 44(1) of the same Constitution.

Additionally, he argues that the EFCC’s threats of investigation, arrest, and detention during his governorship are illegal, constituting a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as protected under Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the Constitution.

Sanwo-Olu asserts that the ongoing harassment and threats of arrest from the EFCC, allegedly instigated by his political opponents, represent a misuse of executive power and an abuse of public office. He seeks court orders to prevent the EFCC from intimidating or prosecuting him in connection with his governorship and to protect his rights against unlawful seizure of property, including his passport and bank accounts.

In an affidavit supporting the summons, litigation secretary Martha Kanu alleged that the EFCC is planning to target some of the governor’s aides and family members based on false accusations of fund diversion. She claimed that the commission is pressuring some aides to provide incriminating statements against the governor and is also threatening contractors associated with state projects to implicate him.

Kanu emphasized that certain political adversaries, in conjunction with EFCC officials, are attempting to fabricate allegations of corruption against Sanwo-Olu’s administration, leading to a campaign of intimidation and harassment aimed at discrediting him.