Former Minister of State
for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro has slammed a N100 million suit on the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High
Court in Lagos over an alleged breach 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, Alhja 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 wants 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 wants 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, states that on June 14 some officials of the EFCC numbering
about 20 stormed their premises situated at 10 Mojisola Onikoyi
Street,in 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 stamp.
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 for the hearing of the suit.