Obasanjo Library threatens to sue EFCC over midnight raid
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has strongly criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what it described as an unlawful invasion of its premises around 2 a.m. on Sunday.
According to accounts, the late-night operation disrupted a private event within the complex, leaving several attendees injured as they scrambled to safety. Witnesses said the armed operatives, allegedly led by one Olapade, fired shots and threatened to kill people on the premises.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the OOPL’s Managing Director, Vitalis Ortese, the organisation condemned the EFCC’s actions, calling them “a blatant disrespect to the people’s fundamental rights as well as the rights of the OOPL as a corporate citizen.”
The management stressed that the aggressive raid was unnecessary, noting that the private gathering already had police officers present, including reinforcements from Kemta Police Station, Abeokuta — none of whom had any prior knowledge of the EFCC’s plans.
OOPL has demanded both a formal explanation and an apology to those whose rights were violated and who sustained injuries during what it described as an “unlawful” operation.
Part of the statement read: “The invasion, led by one ‘Olapade’, caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and the carnage that resulted, and causing terror among residents on the site.
“On inquiry by phone, the ‘Olapade’ informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence about a private event in the amusement facility of the complex.
“They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation.
“It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widely advertised to members of the public for days prior.
“It should also be noted that both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the Kemta Police Station, as requested by the organisers of the event and management, stated that they were not informed of any planned operation by the EFCC, and neither did they present any warrant.
“And when the armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they simply retorted, ‘We are doing our job’.
“The Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.
“The Management has commenced its Investigations of the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the police, and the Department of State Security.
“In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent actions from the commission and an apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement of its rights, to all those who gathered, and those who sustained serious injuries from the gangster like induced chaos.
“Failure for which the management will be compelled to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.”
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