The Lagos State Government has denied reports that Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu filed a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was reported that Sanwo-Olu had allegedly filed a lawsuit against the EFCC, alleging threats of arrest, detention, and prosecution once his tenure as governor concludes.
The suit, a fundamental rights enforcement action, was submitted to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja by Sanwo-Olu’s lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba.
During a court session on Tuesday, Ozurumba announced the withdrawal of an initial originating summons, stating that it had been replaced with a revised filing.
He confirmed that the EFCC had been served with the new court documents, although EFCC counsel Hadiza Afegbua indicated she had not yet received them, and the proof of service was not available in the court file.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until November 11 for further mention.
But reacting in a statement, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said Sanwo-Olu, at no time, sued or briefed any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf concerning the above subject matter.
According to him, the Lagos State Government is currently investigating how the case came to be without the government’s knowledge.
Pedro wrote: “Our attention has been drawn to the news circulating in a section of the media, titled: “Sanwo-Olu Sues EFCC over alleged plan to arrest, prosecute him after tenure.”
“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.
“To the best of my knowledge and 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been an exemplar in terms of service delivery, prudent and judicious management of the public resources.
“Therefore, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is busy working assiduously on how to improve the living conditions of all Lagosians does not have anything to fear when he eventually leaves office at the end of his tenure in May 2027.
“We, therefore, enjoin media organisations to be wary of the kind of reports they entertain and publish on their respected platforms in order not to mislead the public.”
