Alleged corruption: Sanwo-Olu asks court to stop EFCC from arresting him in 2027

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or prosecuting him for alleged diversion of funds at the end of his tenure in 2027.

The governor filed the fundamental rights enforcement suit through his lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba.

When the matter was called for mention on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that he had withdrawn the earlier originating summons filed and replaced it with a new one.

The lawyer said the commission was served with the latest court documents in July.

However, EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua, said she was yet to see the documents.

Besides, the proof of service of the processes was not in the court file and Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till November 11 for further mention.

In the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 filed on June 6, the governor raised seven questions and sought 11 reliefs.

Sanwo-Olu sought a declaration that under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, he is entitled to the right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during, and after the occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”

He wants the court to declare that under and by the provisions of Sections 43 and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution, he is entitled to acquire, own, operate, and manage both moveable and immovable property.

This, according to him, includes bank accounts, as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the constitution either before, during, or after leaving public office of governor of a state.

He also wants the court to declare that upon community reading of the provisions of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution, the threat of his investigation, arrest, and detention by the EFCC during his tenure of office as governor is illegal.

The governor argued that the plan to arrest him was unconstitutional and a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as amended).

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