Former Minister of State for Defence,
Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged breach
of his fundamental human rights.
Obanikoro, who served under the
immediate past administration, is demanding the sum of N100m as general
damages for the alleged unlawful and unconstitutional forceful seizure,
detention and/or freezing of several items, properties and personal
effects belonging to him and members of his family by the EFCC on June
14, 2016.
Other applicants in the suit are Mrs. Fati Obanikoro, Alhaja Moroophat Obanikoro, Gbolahan Obanikoro and Babajide Obanikoro.he EFCC had last Tuesday raided the
Ikoyi, Lagos homes of the former minister over his alleged involvement
in the $2.1bn arms deal under the Jonathan administration.
But a suit, filed on his behalf by his
lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN) on Thursday, also asked the court to
restrain the Respondent, EFCC, whether by its officers, servants,
privies, assigns or agents from arresting/detaining, harassing any of
the applicants or their relatives pending the hearing and determination
of the suit.
The applicants are also praying the
court to restrain the commission from further entering their premises
and an order directing the EFCC to tender an unreserved public apology
to them for the unlawful action.
The applicants are also asking the court
to set aside the forceful seizure, detention and/or freezing of several
items, properties/personal effects and direct the respondent to release
all the items, properties and personal effects seized from their
premises.
The applicants further want 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.
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