Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro
yesterday slammed a N100 million suit on the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged
breached of his fundamental human rights.
The former Minister is demanding the sum as general damages
for the alleged unlawful and unconstitutional seizure and detention of several
items, properties and personal effects belonging to him and family by the EFCC
on June 24, 2016. Other applicants in the suit are: Mrs. Fati Obanikoro,
Alhaja Moroophat Obanikoro, Gbolahon Obanikoro, Babajide Obanikoro.
Obanikoro in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, filed
on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN) , is also praying the court to restrain the EFCC
whether by its officers, Servants, privies, assigns or agents from arresting,
detaining, harassing any of the applicants or any of their relatives pending
the hearing and determination of the suit. The applicants also want the court to restrain the commission
from further entering their premises and an order Directing it to tender an
unreserved public apology to them for the unlawful action. They are also asking the court to direct the respondent to
release all the items, properties and personal effects seized from their
premises.
The applicants further prayed the court to hold that the
action of the EFCC constitutes a gross violation of their fundamental rights as
guaranteed under section 43 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In a 15 paragraphs affidavit attached to the suit and sworn
to by Mrs. Fati Obanikoro, stated that on June 14 some officials of the EFCC
numbering about 20 stormed their premises situated at 10 Mojisola Onikoyi
Street, by Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos and took away several items. She also alleged that the respondent thereafter proceeded to
also search the personal house of the former Minister at 4 Layi Ajayi-Bembe
road, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos
She also claimed that before the alleged invasion of the
premises there was no prior notice by way of letter or invitation served on any
of the applicants and there was also no order of court mandating them to carry
out the action. She listed some of the items seized by the Commission to
include: building plans, cheque leaflets, company documents, car keys, phones,
two company seals and six company stamps.
The applicant further averred that the EFCC officials
claimed that they were investigating the former Minister and two of his
children but some of the properties taken away did not belong to them.
She also insisted that unless the court issued an order
compelling the commission, it will not return the seized properties.
No date has been for the hearing of the suit.
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