News
Sanwo-Olu asks court to restrain EFCC from arresting him after his tenure
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has filed a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged threat to arrest, detain, and prosecute him after his tenure ends.
The suit, filed by Sanwo-Olu’s lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that he had withdrawn the initial originating summons and replaced it with a new one.
He added that the anti-graft agency had been duly served with the updated court documents.
However, EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua, stated that she had not yet seen the documents.
Justice Abdulmalik also noted that the proof of service was missing from the court file and adjourned the case to November 11 for further mention.
The originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 and filed on June 6, contains seven questions and 11 reliefs sought by the governor.
Sanwo-Olu is requesting a declaration that, under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, “the plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during and after occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”
He also seeks a declaration that, under Sections 43 and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution, he is entitled to acquire, own, operate, and manage both movable and immovable property, including bank accounts, “as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the constitution either before, during, and after leaving public office of governor of a state.”
Sanwo-Olu further argues that based on a reading of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the Constitution, any threat of investigation, arrest, or detention by the EFCC during his tenure is unlawful.
He contends that such actions would be unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed by Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Additionally, the governor is asking the court to declare that the alleged harassment, threats of arrest, and detention instigated by political adversaries through the EFCC, based on what he described as false and politically motivated allegations of corruption, constitute an abuse of executive power and public office.
Sanwo-Olu further urged the court to declare the EFCC’s actions as an unwarranted interference with his fundamental rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, fair hearing, and equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, CAP A9 LFN 2004.
The governor sought an order restraining the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating, or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as Lagos State governor.
He also requested the court to issue an order prohibiting the commission from seizing his properties, international passport, or travel documents, or from freezing the bank accounts of either himself or his family members, in any way that would further violate his fundamental rights under the Constitution.
Additionally, Sanwo-Olu prayed for an order preventing the EFCC from inviting, arresting, or detaining him over matters relating to his tenure as governor. He emphasized the need for the court to protect his fundamental rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, private and family life, freedom of movement, and the acquisition of movable and immovable property, as enshrined in Nigerian law.
The lawmaker representing Kaura Namoda South Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji, has died.
It was gathered that the lawmaker passed on in his sleep during the early hours of Wednesday.
Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji’s sudden death came as a shock to many in the state, especially his colleagues and political associates.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, the party under which he was elected, expressed deep sorrow over his passage.
Members of the party, including the State Working Committee and other supporters, described his death as a great loss.
They said he was known for his dedication and honesty in serving his people.
His family, community members in Kaura Namoda South, and fellow lawmakers have been thrown into mourning as preparations for his burial began.
According to Islamic rites, he was buried today at 3:00 pm in his hometown of Kasuwar-Daji, located in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Many in the state have continued to express grief as they remember the role he played in representing the people and contributing to the work of the state assembly.
Mr. Sam Olumekun has taken over at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Acting Chairman.
Olumekun is INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education.
He performed his first duties today, receiving a high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja with other National Commissioners in attendance.
The delegation was led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, who visited the Commission to discuss key developments within the Labour Party.
It was gathered that both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.
During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership.
He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the Labour Party’s current structure.
Mr. Olumekun, the Acting INEC Chairman, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
Recall that a viral WhatsApp message had indicated that Prof. Mahmood was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced with one Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan.
“INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” the message, which had no attribution, read. However, both INEC and the Presidency debunked the widespread report.
Yakubu, who is rounding off his second tenure in office, is expected to exit the system towards the end of this year.
The process of appointing an INEC chairman is the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services (DSS) for profiling.
After such screening, the President, thereafter, takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review.
Based on the outcome, the President sends the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Crude oil prices have dropped below $57, following a previous rate of $59.78.
This decline coincides with the imposition of tariffs on several countries by US President Donald Trump.
A report from West Texas Intermediate attributes this price slump to consistent 6% reductions observed last week.
JPMorgan Chase & Co has warned that these tariffs could likely push both the US and global economies into a recession this year.
The financial institution explained that the tariffs, set to take effect this week, are expected to have widespread economic repercussions.
Market analysts and the business community have expressed concerns about the negative implications of these measures, predicting a slowdown in economic activities and a subsequent decline in oil demand.
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