Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has denied an alleged suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over planned arrest and prosecution after his tenure expires.
Lawal Pedro, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, disclosed this in a statement released by Sanwo-Olu’s spokesperson, Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday, clarifying that there was no time Gov. Sanwo-Olu asked any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf about the subject matter.
His clarification comes amid a report that Sanwo-Olu’s lawyer filed the fundamental rights enforcement suit against EFCC before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
“We need to clarify that Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at no time, sued or briefed any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf concerning the above subject matter.
“Also, it is disingenuous for the Governor, who enjoys immunity as conferred on him by the Constitution and has almost three years ahead of him, to brief any lawyer on this kind of matter.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu sues EFCC over threats of arrest and prosecution
“To the best of my knowledge, my inquiry confirmed that the EFCC is not investigating the governor and has never invited him or threatened arrest of any member of his staff, domestic or otherwise.
“We are currently investigating how the case came to be without our knowledge,” he stated.
Credible News recall that Sanwo-Olu filed a lawsuit against the EFCC, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging threats of arrest, detention, and prosecution once he leaves office.
Represented by his lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, Sanwo-Olu claims that the EFCC’s actions, allegedly driven by political motives, violate his constitutional rights.
During the case’s initial hearing on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that a new originating summons had been filed and served to the EFCC, although the EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua said she had yet to receive the documents. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until November 11.
In his summons, Sanwo-Olu is seeking several declarations to protect his constitutional rights to privacy, property, and personal liberty, as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution. He argues that EFCC’s alleged threats to investigate, detain, and potentially freeze his assets are illegal, contending they represent an abuse of power and harassment instigated by political opponents.
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