The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu after his tenure. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the case on October 31 following a motion by Sanwo-Olu’s counsel, Gbenga Akande, to discontinue the suit.
The case, filed in October by lawyer Darlington Ozurumba, alleged that the EFCC planned to arrest and prosecute Sanwo-Olu after his second term ends in May 2027. It argued that such actions would violate the governor’s constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement. The lawsuit sought to prevent the EFCC from harassing, detaining, or prosecuting Sanwo-Olu over matters relating to his tenure as governor.
The Lagos State government denied knowledge of the lawsuit, with Attorney-General Lawal Pedro, SAN, stating that Sanwo-Olu did not authorize the case and that there is no investigation or threat of arrest by the EFCC. Similarly, the EFCC, in a counter affidavit, stated it is not investigating Sanwo-Olu and denied any intention to arrest him or his staff. The court’s dismissal of the case resolves the matter, affirming there was no credible threat from the EFCC against the governor.
