The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has denied claims suggesting that he has initiated a legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged plans to arrest and prosecute him after his tenure.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement released on Tuesday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, clarified that he has neither filed a lawsuit nor engaged any legal counsel to address these purported accusations.
Pedro emphasized the absurdity of such claims, highlighting that the governor, who currently enjoys constitutional immunity, has nearly three years remaining in office and thus would not seek legal recourse in this manner.
“The EFCC is not investigating the Governor, nor has it issued any threats of arrest against him or any member of his staff,” Pedro asserted.
He further stated that an inquiry into the origins of these claims is underway, expressing concern over how such misinformation surfaced without their knowledge.
Pedro reiterated Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to exemplary service and prudent management of public resources, asserting that the governor is focused on enhancing the living conditions of Lagosians, rather than being preoccupied with unfounded allegations.
“Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not have anything to fear when he eventually leaves office at the end of his tenure in May 2027,” he stated.
The Attorney General urged media organizations to exercise caution in their reporting, warning against the dissemination of misleading information that could skew public perception.
“We encourage journalists to verify their sources and ensure that their reports are rooted in fact,” Pedro concluded.
It was widely reported on Tuesday that Governor Sanwo-Olu had initiated a legal action against the EFCC.
It was reported that the anti-graft agency had allegedly threatened to arrest, detain, and prosecute Sanwo-Olu post-tenure.
The lawsuit was filed through his legal representative, Darlington Ozurumba, and was mentioned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Documented under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, the legal action outlined Governor Sanwo-Olu’s argument that his rights to private life, personal liberty, and freedom from unwarranted detention are constitutionally protected under Sections 35, 37, 41, 43, and 44 of the 1999 Constitution.
The originating summons raised seven key questions, seeking 11 reliefs to protect him from what he describes as “unconstitutional threats” from the EFCC.
Among his demands, Sanwo-Olu purportedly seeks court declarations that the EFCC’s planned actions violate his rights.
Also he allegedly demanded for an order restraining the agency from intimidating, harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him over allegations relating to his tenure.
He also allegedly urged the court to prevent the seizure of his property, international passport, travel documents, or bank accounts linked to him or his family members.
According to an affidavit by Martha Kanu, a litigation secretary at the law firm representing Sanwo-Olu, the EFCC allegedly pressured some of his aides and contractors to make incriminating statements against him.
Kanu claimed that political adversaries had manipulated these allegations to paint the governor’s administration as corrupt.
EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua, reportedly noted that the agency had not received the updated court documents, leading Justice Abdulmalik to adjourn the case to November 11 for further mention.
Sanwo-Olu, who was re-elected for a second term on May 29, 2023, purportedly aims to use this suit to uphold his rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and property ownership as safeguarded under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human & Peoples’ Rights.
