EFCC Urges Court to Dismiss Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Rights Suit, Calls Claims Speculative

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to reject the reliefs requested by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his fundamental rights enforcement suit, deeming the claims speculative.

In a counter affidavit opposing Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s originating summons, the EFCC argued before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the Lagos governor’s actions were based on mere conjecture. Represented by counsel Darlington Ozurumba, Mr. Sanwo-Olu filed a lawsuit against the EFCC as the sole defendant, alleging that he faced threats of arrest, detention, and prosecution after his term as governor.

In the originating summons, filed on June 6 under the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, the governor raised seven questions and sought 11 reliefs. Among them, he sought a declaration affirming his right to privacy and family life under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, before, during, and after his term of office. He also requested that the court declare any threats of investigation, arrest, or detention by the EFCC during his tenure as governor illegal.

The governor claimed that political adversaries, under EFCC instigation, had made false corruption allegations against him, leading to harassment and threats, which he viewed as an abuse of executive power. He sought an order restraining the EFCC from any form of intimidation, arrest, or prosecution related to his time as governor.

In its counter affidavit filed on October 31, the EFCC, through its lawyer Hadiza Afegbua, denied these allegations. Ufuoma Ezire, a superintendent and EFCC litigation secretary, stated that the EFCC had not taken any action to restrict the governor’s freedom or infringe upon his rights. Ezire asserted that no EFCC officer had invited or threatened Mr. Sanwo-Olu or his staff.

Ezire further argued that the governor’s claims were speculative, noting that no petition or intelligence had been filed against him to justify an EFCC investigation. The affidavit described the suit as unfounded and misleading, and requested that the court deny the reliefs sought by the governor in the interest of justice.

On October 29, Mr. Ozurumba informed the court of a withdrawal and replacement of the original summons, though EFCC’s counsel, Ms. Afegbua, had not reviewed the new documents. Due to missing proof of service, the judge adjourned the case to November 26. Reports suggest that Mr. Ozurumba may withdraw the suit at the next hearing.

(Source: NAN)