The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja not to grant the reliefs sought by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his fundamental right enforcement suit.

The EFCC, in its counter affidavit in opposition to Sanwo-Olu’s originating summons, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the governor’s action in the instant suit is a mere conjecture.

Recall that Sanwo-Olu, through his counsel, Darlington Ozurumba, had sued the anti-graft agency as sole defendant over alleged threat to arrest, detain and prosecute him after his tenure as governor.

In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, dated June 6 and filed on the same date, the governor raised seven questions and sought 11 reliefs.

Sanwo-Olu sought a declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, “the plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during and after occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”

He also wants the court to declare that upon community reading of the provisions of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution, the threat of his investigation, arrest and detention by the EFCC during his tenure of office as governor is illegal.

The governor prayed the court to declare that the incessant harassment, threat of arrest and detention, against him upon the EFCC’s instigation by his political adversaries based on false and politically motivated allegation of corruption is a misuse of executive powers and abuse of public office.

He, therefore, sought an order restraining the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, among others.

However, the anti-corruption agency, in its counter affidavit dated Oct. 30 but filed Oct. 31 by its lawyer, Hadiza Afegbua, said contrary to the governor’s claims, the EFCC neither threatened, invited or took any step at all to encroach on his right to freedom of movement nor violated his right to private and family life and personal liberty.

The EFCC’s objection was sighted on Monday in Abuja.

In the application, Ufuoma Ezire, a Superintendent and a Litigation Secretary in the Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, who deposed to the counter affidavit, averred that he was conversant with the facts of the case.

According to him, that I have the authority, consent and permission of the defendant to depose to this counter affidavit.

“That I have read and understood the plaintiff’s affidavit in support of the originating summons and I hereby state that the depositions in Paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 and even 8 are not true and are calculated attempt to mislead the honourable court.

“That the depositions in paragraph 4 sub 4(iv), 4(v), 4(vi), 4(vii), 4(viii), 4(ix), 4(x), 4(xi), 4(xii), 4(xiv), 4(xvi), 4(vii), 4(xviii), 4(xix), 4(xx), 4(xxi) ,4(xxii), 4(xxiv) and 4(xxv) of the plaintiff’s affidavit are unfounded, untrue and unknown to the defendant and are hereby denied,” Ezire said.

The official said the commission was not investigating the governor and had never invited him or threatened to arrest any member of his staff, domestic or otherwise.

“That I know as a fact that the defendant invites members of the public for interview, interrogation or any engagement vide a written invitation, phone calls or text messages by any of its officers who shall introduce himself or herself by name, rank, designation, and Section to enable the invitee trace the officer easily.

“That no officer of the defendant could have invited the plaintiff or his aides without furnishing them with such detailed particulars of himself.

“That contrary to the depositions in paragraphs 5 of the plaintiff affidavit, the defendant did not intimidate, harass or threatened the plaintiff or subjected him to any trauma,” he said.

He said the agency was unaware of any threat to arrest Sanwo-Olu’s “aides, accusation of maladministration or diversion of Lagos State’s funds nor is it aware of any likelihood of a breach of the applicant’s right to liberty or right to own movable and immovable properties in this case.

“That the action of the plaintiff in this case is mere conjecture and speculations as there is no petition or any intel gathered before the defendant to warrant the men and officers of same to invite, threaten to arrest the plaintiff at the moment.

“That the entirety of the dispositions contained in the plaintiffs’ affidavit are not true, as the application is misconceived and brought in bad faith to mislead this honourable court.

“That the defendant is not in a position to deny or confirm the depositions in paragraphs 4 and 4(iii) as the defendant is not a party to the conversation between deponent and the plaintiff.

“That it will be in the interest of justice to refuse the reliefs sought by the plaintiff,” Ezire added.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed plans to probe the complaints filed against members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State.

Recall that the electoral commission declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election on September 21, 2014, in Edo State.

However, during a recent conversation with journalists, the spokesperson for the anti-corruption body, Demola Bakare, revealed that several complaints have been received against some INEC officials.

Reports had emerged earlier speculating how election observers who were present during the state’s recent election stormed the ICPC’s headquarters to lodge complaints against the INEC.

These observers, primarily legal professionals, had gathered under the umbrella of Tap Initiative, specifically calling for the arrest and prosecution of the commission’s officials for allegedly producing two sets of result sheets (EC8A).

The Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, had indicated that the commission’s actions had escalated to a point where they should be reported to USAID, EU, UK, and other international organizations.

However, the ICPC spokesman told Daily Trust yesterday, “When we are addressing a petition, we do not disclose the details.

“You can be sure that the petition was received, it was acknowledged. Definitely, if there is substance in it, we will do something about it.

“But it is not our tradition to tell anybody about what we are doing. We received the petition and it was acknowledged. Be sure that something will be done.”

Gov Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced that state employees will receive double salary payments in December.

According to Eno, the introduction of the 13th month salary, referred to as ‘Eno-Mber,’ is intended to enhance the festive season for civil servants, particularly in light of the delays surrounding the implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage.

According to Vanguard, the harmonization committee, led by the Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, may not meet the one-month deadline set by the State government for the submission of its report, with the completion of the task now projected for the first quarter of 2025.

In an effort to allay the concerns of the workforce, the Governor announced the double salary payment during a church service at the Eternity Mission International Church in Uyo on Sunday, serving as a temporary relief prior to the rollout of the new minimum wage.

“I am aware that quite a number of our civil servants have relocated within Nigeria while others have gone abroad. We have to be sure that those receiving payments are real civil servants. My watchword since assuming office has been transparency and honesty in service deliverables and we have to ensure that we carry this through this verification exercise, which would soon be completed,” he noted.

The Akwa Ibom governor also warned those constantly working to disrupt the smooth relationship between the state government and the organized labour to have a rethink.

“Since we came in, we have paid critical attention to the needs and the welfare of civil servants in this state. To date, we have paid N35 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government workers and primary school teachers in the state,” he recalled.

Other interventions which the Governor said should encourage the workers to imbibe good work ethics included the institution and payment of a bonus regime of N1.1billion naira to all public servants, prompt payment of salary, pension and gratuities.

The governor had also released funds, and ensured prompt payment of wage award to the State workers for three months to cushion the effect of high cost of living occasioned by the federal government’s fuel subsidy removal as well as free 150 homes at the Grace Estate for civil servants of grade levels one to eight.

Popular Nigerian actress, Sarah Martins has revealed that she became a gold digger after her past relationship with her ex-lover.

In an Instagram post, she revealed that she gave 50% of her salary to her ex-boyfriend for six months, only to discover he was using the funds to support another woman’s business.

According to Sarah Martins, this betrayal has left emotional scars, making her cautious about loving deeply.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, has ordered a comprehensive probe into the shooting of a 21-year-old student, David Ilechukwu in Kubwa area of the territory.

It was gathered that Ilechukwu, a Nasarawa State University student was shot dead at a checkpoint allegedly by the police on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

The father of the 200-level Computer Science student who spoke to newsmen on Sunday alleged that his son was shot after the policemen accused him of being an internet fraudster and demanded N200,000 from him.

He explained that his son fell into a nearby gutter after he was shot in the foot and was brought home by some commercial motorcyclists.

According to him, his son is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital where doctors confirmed that two of his bones were broken.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, November 10, said the perpetrators are yet to be identified.

"The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to an incident involving Mr. David Ikechukwu, who was reportedly shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen allegedly operating from a tricycle and wearing blue and black uniforms on November 09 2024,” the statement read.

"The Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to apprehend those responsible and to uncover the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.

"The FCT Police Command assures the public that a dedicated team of detectives is actively investigating all aspects of the case. This investigation aims to provide clarity and hold those involved accountable for their actions.

“We urge members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement efforts. The FCT Command is committed to ensuring justice is served and to maintaining the safety of all residents. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”