A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, seeking to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or prosecuting him after the conclusion of his tenure.
The case was dismissed by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following a motion for discontinuance moved by the governor’s counsel, Gbenga Femi Akande.
The judge had earlier scheduled the matter for further mention on November 26, but the case was not listed on the court’s cause list for the day, as it had been struck out earlier on October 31.
Sanwo-Olu, through his lawyer Darlington Ozurumba, had filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 on June 6, naming the EFCC as the sole defendant.
The suit raised seven legal questions and sought 11 reliefs, including an order to prevent the anti-graft agency from intimidating, arresting, or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as governor.
The governor alleged a potential threat from the EFCC to violate his rights to freedom of movement and personal liberty.
However, in its counter affidavit filed on October 31, the EFCC refuted the claims, describing them as speculative and baseless.
The anti-corruption agency, represented by counsel Hadiza Afegbua, argued that no steps had been taken to harass or prosecute the governor, nor had any threat been issued.
Justice Abdulmalik had adjourned the case on October 29 after Afegbua informed the court that she had yet to receive the fresh originating summons. However, before the scheduled hearing on November 26, the case was withdrawn by Sanwo-Olu’s legal team.