The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating or arresting Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the end of his tenure.
Presiding Judge Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the case on October 31 after Gbenga Akande, Sanwo-Olu’s counsel, filed a motion to discontinue the suit.
The case, filed in October on behalf of the governor by lawyer Darlington Ozurumba, aimed to prevent the EFCC from allegedly planning to arrest and prosecute Sanwo-Olu after his tenure, which ends on May 29, 2027.
The suit argued that such plans would violate Sanwo-Olu’s fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as outlined in Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the Nigerian Constitution. It sought a court order restraining the EFCC from any actions against Sanwo-Olu related to his time as governor.
However, the Lagos State government distanced itself from the lawsuit. State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) stated that neither the governor nor his aides had authorized the legal action, adding that there were no investigations or threats of arrest by the EFCC.
Similarly, in a counter affidavit, Ufuoma Ezire, a litigation secretary with the EFCC, confirmed that the agency had not initiated any investigation or arrest plans against Sanwo-Olu or his aides.
During the court proceedings, EFCC counsel Hadiza Afegbua expressed surprise upon learning that the case had already been struck out, as it was not listed among the day’s cases for hearing.
The court’s enrolled order revealed that only Sanwo-Olu’s counsel was present during the proceedings when the suit was dismissed.
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