Court strikes out Sanwo-Olu’s disowned suit against EFCC

The Federal High Court in Abuja recently struck out a lawsuit filed by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after the governor publicly distanced himself from the suit. The legal action, originally filed by Sanwo-Olu through his lawyer Darlington Ozurumba, had sought to prevent the EFCC from allegedly threatening to arrest or prosecute him after his tenure as governor. The case, which was filed on June 6, 2024, claimed that the EFCC’s investigation into Sanwo-Olu violated his constitutional rights to personal liberty, private life, and freedom of movement.

However, on October 31, 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu disavowed the lawsuit. A statement issued by Lagos State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, clarified that the governor had never authorized any lawyer to file such a suit, nor did he have any reason to pursue such legal action. The Lagos State government’s disavowal led the EFCC to file an objection to the suit, asserting that no such threat or action had been taken against Sanwo-Olu. This move by the governor resulted in the withdrawal of the suit, which was officially struck out on the same day.

At the court hearing on October 29, 2024, Sanwo-Olu’s lawyer, Gbenga Femi Akande, moved a motion for the discontinuance of the suit. Following this, the court ruled that the case be struck out. The EFCC’s legal team, led by Hadiza Afegbua, had also expressed concerns over the suit’s validity, with Afegbua stating that the EFCC had not investigated or taken any action against Sanwo-Olu. The agency denied claims of any threat to arrest or harass the governor, asserting that there was no basis for the allegations.

This legal development unfolded against the backdrop of political tensions and the broader context of the EFCC’s ongoing investigations into alleged corruption across Nigerian public offices. The EFCC had denied all accusations from Sanwo-Olu, clarifying that it had not engaged in any attempt to intimidate or undermine his rights. The commission emphasized that its operations, which typically involve written invitations and detailed documentation, had not been directed at the governor.

The case was initially slated for mention on November 26, 2024. However, the suit did not appear on the court’s cause list on that day, as it had been struck out. Court officials confirmed that the matter had been withdrawn and dismissed in accordance with the earlier motion filed by Sanwo-Olu’s legal team. This ruling effectively ended the legal battle, with no further hearings scheduled.

The controversy surrounding the lawsuit had raised questions about the relationship between the Lagos State government and the EFCC, especially as Sanwo-Olu’s government had previously been linked to various allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. Despite the withdrawal of the suit, the issue underscored the tense environment surrounding corruption investigations and the possible influence of political figures in the Nigerian legal landscape.

In the aftermath, the EFCC maintained its stance that it had not harassed, intimidated, or made any attempts to arrest the governor. The agency also insisted that the claims made by the governor’s legal team were baseless, adding that no formal investigation had been initiated against Sanwo-Olu. While the suit was withdrawn, the incident served as a reminder of the ongoing scrutiny faced by public officials in Nigeria, particularly in relation to their financial conduct in office.

Ultimately, the case highlights the complex intersection of legal, political, and public relations dynamics in Nigeria, particularly in the context of anti-corruption efforts and governance. With the dismissal of the suit, both the EFCC and the Lagos State government seem to have moved past the issue, but it remains a point of interest in the broader conversation about accountability and governance in Nigeria.