EFCC Urges Abuja Court to Dismiss Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Rights Suit, Labels It 'Speculative'

Written on 11/11/2024

Daily Post

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed to a Federal High Court in Abuja to reject the reliefs sought by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his fundamental rights enforcement suit.

The anti-graft agency argued that Sanwo-Olu’s legal action was speculative and lacked merit.

In its counter affidavit, the EFCC described the governor’s claims as a "mere conjecture" and urged Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to dismiss the suit. The case centers around Sanwo-Olu’s attempt to prevent alleged actions by the EFCC that he claims infringe on his rights.

Recall that Sanwo-Olu, through his counsel, Darlington Ozurumba, had sued the anti-graft agency as sole defendant over alleged threat to arrest, detain and prosecute him after his tenure as governor.

In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, dated June 6 and filed on the same date, the governor raised seven questions and sought 11 reliefs.

Sanwo-Olu sought a declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, “the plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during and after the occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”

He also wants the court to declare that upon community reading of the provisions of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution, the threat of his investigation, arrest and detention by the EFCC during his tenure of office as governor is illegal.