Obanikoro slams N100m suit on EFCC over rights violations, seizure of properties



Read the statement below...
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 want the court to hold that the action of the EFCC constitute a gross violation of their fundamental rights as guarantee 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, states 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 list 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 stam

The applicant further averred that the EFCC officials claimed that they are investigating the former Minister and two of his children but some of the properties taken away do 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 set for the hearing of the suit.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nigerian Lawyer -Tunde Okewale awarded MBE in 2016 Queen's Honours List'

Image
“From GQ Cool List to Queen's Honours List”. The award was made in recognition of his "services to the community and disadvantaged young people". Tunde Okewale, Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and founder of Urban Lawyers, is a popular figure on social media and made GQ’s 2014 “cool” list. Background and achievements Tunde is 32 years of age and a Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. He was raised on a council estate in Hackney, East London. He is the eldest of four children and was the first person in my family to attend university and obtain a degree. During his studies, Tunde undertook numerous simultaneous part-time jobs in the food and retail industry, to enable him to contribute towards his household. Consequently, his academic studies suffered, and he obtained a 2.2 in his undergraduate degree. Career advisors and professionals told him that he would never make it. Despite this setback, Tunde ploughed on. He involved himself in community work a...
Read more

PDP Apologise to Jonathan, Nigerians for your lies,' Party tells APC

Image
It also accused the Muhammadu Buhari administration of not fighting corruption but "sharing dollars in Central Bank of Nigeria and doing illegal forex deals". The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demands apologies from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to former President  Goodluck Jonathan  for the lies the party ruling party told against him. The party also asked the APC to apologise to Nigerians for the propaganda it dished out during the the 2015 election campaign. The PDP said this on Saturday, June 18, in a series of tweets via its handle @PdpNigeria. It also accused the  Muhammadu Buhari  administration of not fighting corruption but "sharing dollars in Central Bank of Nigeria and doing illegal forex deals". The opposition party said what the present government successfully did in one year was shut down the economy, ruined businesses, drove away investors and gave excuses. It also condemned Buhari's silence on the killing of 18 wome...
Read more