Sanwo-Olu Files Suit Against EFCC Over Post-Tenure Arrest Threat.
Written by Noble People Crew on 30 October 2024
Sanwo-Olu Files Suit Against EFCC Over Post-Tenure Arrest Threat.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has initiated legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in response to an alleged threat of arrest once his tenure concludes.
Represented by his lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, Sanwo-Olu initiated a fundamental rights enforcement suit before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at a Federal High Court in Abuja. During a mention of the case on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that he had withdrawn a prior originating summons and submitted a new one. He noted that the EFCC had been properly served with the latest documents, but EFCC counsel Hadiza Afegbua stated she had not yet received them. The court file did not contain proof of service, leading Justice Abdulmalik to adjourn the matter until November 11 for further mention.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the originating summons, filed on June 6 under the reference FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, outlines seven questions and seeks 11 reliefs. Sanwo-Olu asserts that under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as a Nigerian citizen, he is entitled to the right to private and family life, applicable before, during, and after holding public office.
He seeks a declaration that he has the right to acquire, own, operate, and manage both movable and immovable property, including bank accounts, under Sections 43 and 44(1) of the Constitution, before, during, or after his governorship.
Additionally, Sanwo-Olu argues that the EFCC’s threats of investigation, arrest, and detention during his tenure are illegal, constituting a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as outlined in Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the Constitution.
The governor also claims that the continuous harassment and threats from the EFCC, instigated by his political opponents and based on false allegations of corruption, constitute an abuse of power and an infringement on his rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, fair hearing, and equal protection under the law.
Sanwo-Olu requests that the court order the EFCC to cease any harassment, intimidation, arrest, detention, interrogation, or prosecution related to his tenure as governor. He also seeks a prohibition against the agency from seizing his properties, international passport, and travel documents, or freezing his or his family members’ bank accounts.
In the supporting affidavit, litigation secretary Martha Kanu stated that the governor informed her during a teleconference that the EFCC was allegedly planning to arrest some of his aides and family members based on false claims of fund diversion. She also claimed that the agency is pressuring contractors handling state projects to make incriminating statements against Sanwo-Olu to fabricate a case of corruption.
Kanu further alleged that some political adversaries of the governor are colluding with EFCC officials to falsely accuse his administration of corrupt practices that do not exist. She claimed the EFCC is creating unfounded allegations against Sanwo-Olu as a basis for future investigations and prosecution after his tenure ends.
NAN reports that Sanwo-Olu was first sworn in as Governor of Lagos State on May 29, 2019, and was re-elected for a second term on May 29, 2023.