Ex-minister slams N100m lawsuit on EFCC over seizure of his property

dimeji akinloye

February 22, 2017 5:33 PM

The ex-minister, his wife, Moroophat, and his sons, Gbolahan, Babajide and his wife, Fati are jointly suing the anti-graft agency.

Ex-Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro

Former Minister of State for Defence,

The suit was said to have been filed on Wednesday, February 22, at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The ex-minister, his wife, Moroophat, and his sons, Gbolahan, Babajide and his wife, Fati are jointly suing the anti-graft agency.

They are praying the court to declare that the forceful seizure of their property constitutes a gross violation of their rights.

They want the court to order to set aside the forceful detention of their properties on June 14, 2016.

The Obanikoros are also demanding an "unreserved public apology", plus N100 million as general damages against the commission.

They are also seeking an order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining or harassing them or entering their premises again to seize their properties.

The EFCC had alleged that about $1 million was transferred from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Obanikoro on March 18, 2015, through companies linked to his sons.

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But the family's lawyer, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), claimed that the documents and properties seized by the EFCC have nothing to do with ONSA.

They said that the commission violated Regulation 13 of the EFCC (Enforcement Regulation) 2010, which provides that it shall "apply and obtain" a court order to enter and search any premises.

The EFCC, in a counter application, told the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that it acted in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Justice Abdulazeez Anka has fixed March 28 for ruling.

dimeji akinloye