A former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has filed a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the seizure of his property.
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos on Wednesday, Obanikoro and his family are
praying the court to declare the forceful seizure of their personal effects by the EFCC as unlawfuland a gross violation of their rights, Punch writes.Joining Obanikoro as applicants in the suit are his wife, Moroophat, his sons Gbolahon, Babajide and his wife Fati, who are also seeking an order setting aside the forceful detention of their properties on June 14, 2016.
Besides seeking a restraining order on the anti-graft agency, the family is also demanding an “unreserved public apology”, as well as N100m as general damages against the commission.
Obanikoro has been on trial for his part in the$2.1bn arms scandal during the administration ofGoodluck Jonathan.
According to the EFCC, a company belonging to the former minister, Mob Integrated Services, received one million dollars from the Office of the National Security Adviser on March 18, 2015.But, the family, though their counsel, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), has denied any connections with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), adding 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.EFCC, meanwhile, has asked court to dismiss the suit, insisting that it acted in accordance withthe provisions of the law.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdulazeez Anka has fixed March 28 for ruling on the application.
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