The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, describing the governor’s claims as speculative and unfounded. Sanwo-Olu had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, alleging that the EFCC threatened to arrest, detain, and prosecute him after his term as governor.
In his suit, Sanwo-Olu cited Sections 35 and 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, asserting his right to privacy and protection from harassment, especially for politically motivated allegations. He requested the court to declare the EFCC’s alleged actions as an abuse of executive powers, driven by his political adversaries.
Responding, EFCC lawyer Hadiza Afegbua argued that the agency never took any steps to infringe upon Sanwo-Olu’s rights. In a counter-affidavit, EFCC official Ufuoma Ezire claimed that the governor’s allegations were “conjecture and speculation,” as no petition or intelligence currently warranted an EFCC investigation or invitation for the governor.
The EFCC maintained it had not threatened Sanwo-Olu or his aides, describing the suit as misconceived and aimed at misleading the court. The agency has requested that the court dismiss the governor’s claims in the interest of justice.
