The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The lawsuit concerns alleged threats from the EFCC to investigate, arrest, and prosecute the governor after his term ends. However, the EFCC has strongly denied these claims, stating that no such threats have been made.
Sanwo-Olu filed the suit in June, seeking protection for his rights as a Nigerian citizen, both during and after his time in office. He argued that the alleged threats from the EFCC, as well as harassment from political opponents, had violated his fundamental rights, including his right to privacy and freedom of movement.
In response, the EFCC filed a counter affidavit on October 31, denying any investigation into Sanwo-Olu or any of his staff.
“That I have read and understood the plaintiff’s affidavit in support of the originating summons and I hereby state that the depositions in Paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 and even 8 are not true and are calculated attempt to mislead the honourable court.“That the depositions in paragraph 4 sub 4(iv), 4(v), 4(vi), 4(vii), 4(viii), 4(ix), 4(x), 4(xi), 4(xii), 4(xiv), 4(xvi), 4(vii), 4(xviii), 4(xix), 4(xx), 4(xxi) ,4(xxii), 4(xxiv) and 4(xxv) of the plaintiff’s affidavit are unfounded, untrue and unknown to the defendant and are hereby denied,” Ezire said.
The affidavit, signed by Ufuoma Ezire, an official in the EFCC’s Legal Department, clarified that the commission has not attempted to arrest or threaten the governor or his team. The EFCC also stated that there are no allegations against Sanwo-Olu regarding corruption or mismanagement of public funds.
“That I know as a fact that the defendant invites members of the public for interview, interrogation or any engagement vide a written invitation, phone calls or text messages by any of its officers who shall introduce himself or herself by name, rank, designation, and Section to enable the invitee trace the officer easily.
“That no officer of the defendant could have invited the plaintiff or his aides without furnishing them with such detailed particulars of himself.
“That contrary to the depositions in paragraphs 5 of the plaintiff affidavit, the defendant did not intimidate, harass or threatened the plaintiff or subjected him to any trauma,” he said.
The EFCC maintains that it has no intention of infringing upon Sanwo-Olu’s rights and is unaware of any accusations involving the governor. The case will now proceed in court, where the judge will consider both sides of the argument.
“That the action of the plaintiff in this case is mere conjecture and speculations as there is no petition or any intel gathered before the defendant to warrant the men and officers of same to invite, threaten to arrest the plaintiff at the moment.
“That the entirety of the dispositions contained in the plaintiffs’ affidavit are not true, as the application is misconceived and brought in bad faith to mislead this honourable court.
“That the defendant is not in a position to deny or confirm the depositions in paragraphs 4 and 4(iii) as the defendant is not a party to the conversation between deponent and the plaintiff.
“That it will be in the interest of justice to refuse the reliefs sought by the plaintiff,” Ezire added.
