Sanwo-Olu Moves to Avoid Arrest and Prosecution After End of Tenure, Sues EFCC

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prevent his arrest, detention, and prosecution after completing his tenure in 2027.

Sanwo-Olu is a second-term governor under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sanwo-Olu’s lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, citing threats from the EFCC.

The governor is seeking a declaration that he is entitled to his rights to private and family life, as well as the right to acquire and manage properties, including bank accounts, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. He argues that the EFCC’s threat to investigate, arrest, and detain him during his tenure is illegal and unconstitutional.

Sanwo-Olu also alleges that the EFCC’s actions are motivated by false and politically driven corruption allegations, constituting an abuse of executive powers and public office. He seeks an order restraining the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as governor.

The case was adjourned until November 11, after Ozurumba informed the court that he had replaced the earlier originating summons with a new one, which the EFCC claimed not to have seen. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the EFCC to verify the new documents before the next hearing.