Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has filed a legal suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging threats of arrest, detention, and prosecution following his term in office. His lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, submitted the fundamental rights enforcement suit before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that he had withdrawn the previous originating summons and submitted a new one, which the EFCC had been served. However, EFCC counsel Hadiza Afegbua stated she had not yet seen the updated documents, and the proof of service was missing from the court file. As a result, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until November 11 for further mention.
The original summons, filed on June 6 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, included seven questions and sought eleven reliefs. Sanwo-Olu is requesting a declaration that he is entitled to the right to private and family life under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, both during and after his tenure in public office.
Additionally, he seeks a court ruling affirming his rights to acquire, own, and manage property, including bank accounts, as protected by Sections 43 and 44(1) of the Constitution. Sanwo-Olu argues that the EFCC’s threats of investigation and arrest during his tenure are illegal under Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1).
He is asking the court to restrain the EFCC from harassing or prosecuting him related to his governorship and to prevent the agency from seizing his property, passport, or freezing his and his family’s bank accounts. Sanwo-Olu contends that some political adversaries, in collusion with EFCC officials, are making false allegations of corruption against him, seeking to justify investigations after he leaves office.
