EFCC urges court to dismiss Sanwo-Olu’s suit against alleged harassment
By Kunle Sanni
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a fundamental rights suit filed on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, seeking to prevent possible harassment or prosecution by the anti-graft agency.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 and filed on June 6, was initiated by Sanwo-Olu’s counsel, Darlington Ozurumba. It requests a court order to stop the EFCC from allegedly harassing, arresting, or prosecuting Sanwo-Olu in relation to his tenure as Lagos governor. The legal team also seeks to prevent the EFCC from seizing his assets, freezing his family’s bank accounts, or confiscating his travel documents.
In response, the EFCC has filed a counter affidavit, dismissing Sanwo-Olu’s claims as unfounded. The agency asserts that it has neither begun any investigation against Sanwo-Olu nor issued threats to detain him or his associates.
Ufuoma Ezire, a litigation secretary in the EFCC’s legal and prosecution department, described the suit as “speculative” and argued that it lacks substantive basis. Ezire clarified that no investigation, arrest, or other prosecutorial actions are being contemplated against the Lagos governor.
The EFCC contends that Sanwo-Olu’s legal action is based on “mere conjecture” rather than actual events or indications of intent by the agency.
A decision on the EFCC’s request to dismiss the case is pending, with the commission maintaining that the legal action is unnecessary in the absence of a legitimate threat or ongoing investigation.
Ezire noted, “The defendant invites members of the public for interviews, interrogations, or any engagement through a written invitation, phone calls, or text messages, with officers clearly identifying themselves by name, rank, designation, and section to ensure transparency. No officer would invite the plaintiff or his aides without providing such details.”
Ezire further denied any claims of intimidation, harassment, or threats against Sanwo-Olu, stressing that the EFCC is unaware of any “accusations of maladministration or diversion of Lagos State funds” or any potential violations of the governor’s rights to liberty and property.
He added that the entirety of Sanwo-Olu’s claims are “misconceived” and suggested that the suit was brought in bad faith to mislead the court.
Ezire concluded, “It is in the interest of justice to refuse the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.”
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has denied filing the suit against the EFCC.
