Sanwo-Olu Files Suit Against EFCC, Alleging Threat of Arrest
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has initiated legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging a planned attempt by the anti-graft agency to arrest, detain, and prosecute him once his gubernatorial tenure concludes. The suit, filed through his lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, was presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
When the case came up for mention on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that an updated originating summons had replaced the earlier submission and confirmed that the EFCC had been served with the revised court documents. However, EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua, stated she had yet to receive these documents. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until 11 November for further mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sanwo-Olu’s originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 and dated 6 June, raises seven questions and seeks eleven reliefs. The governor asserts his entitlement to constitutional protections and claims the EFCC’s alleged intentions threaten his fundamental rights.
Sanwo-Olu has requested a declaration from the court stating his entitlement under Sections 37, 43, and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution to rights of private and family life, freedom of movement, and ownership of property. He contends that the EFCC’s reported plans to investigate, arrest, or detain him during or after his tenure are illegal and violate his rights.
“The plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life…before, during, and after occupation of public office created by the Constitution,” Sanwo-Olu argues in the document, referencing his tenure as governor.
Additionally, the governor seeks an order to prevent the EFCC from “harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating, or prosecuting him” in connection with his time in office. He has also called for a prohibition on any move to seize his assets, freeze his bank accounts, or restrict his international travel.
In a supporting affidavit, Martha Kanu, a litigation secretary in Ozurumba’s law firm, claims that EFCC officials, allegedly influenced by the governor’s political adversaries, are pressuring Sanwo-Olu’s aides and contractors to make incriminating statements about him. She alleges these actions are part of a campaign to “build up a trumped-up case against him.” Chevron Host Communities in Ondo, Delta Demand 70% Job
Further, Kanu alleges that EFCC officials are crafting false accusations to justify a future investigation and possible prosecution of the governor, who began his first term on 29 May 2019 and was re-elected for a second term starting on 29 May 2023【NAN】.
