Obasanjo Presidential Library Vows to Take Legal Action After EFCC Raid

In response to Sunday’s raid on its facility, the administration of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has vowed to file a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At around 2 a.m. on Sunday, during a Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza party at the OOPL, Rounda fun spot, Lagos Zon­al Directorate 2 officers invaded the venue, arrested 93 youths, and seized 18 vehicles and mobile devices.

During the night raid, some young people frantically sought safety, as shown in a widely shared video.

The EFCC said in a statement on its official X account that the operation was carried out in response to credible information regarding the young people’s alleged involvement in online crimes.

In a statement acquired by journalists, Vitalis Ortese, the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, responded to the incident by stating that the operators entered the facility with more than fifty armed men brandishing firearms and threatening to kill anyone.

He bemoaned the confusion and fear generated by the invasion, which was spearheaded by one “Olapade,” which resulted in severe injuries to others attempting to flee the shooting.

Ortese characterized the action as a glaring and flagrant breach of the rights of the individuals who attended the event, a clear example of invasion of private property, and an infringement of OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen.

“A Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men invaded the OOPL premises this morning at around 2 a.m., threatening to kill people, shooting guns, and posing as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the statement continues.

“One ‘Olapade’ led the invasion, which resulted in severe chaos and panic, causing fear among locals and serious injuries to participants attempting to flee the ensuing shooting and near-carnage.”

Following a phone call, the “Olapade” told Mr. Vitalis Ortese, the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, that they were responding to an intelligence report regarding a private event taking place at the complex’s amusement center. Additionally, they told management that the police had been properly notified of the operation.

It should be mentioned that although the event was private, it had been heavily publicized for days before. Additionally, it should be mentioned that the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police officers dispatched from the Kem­ta Police Station at the request of the event organizers and management claimed that they were not aware of any EFCC-planned operations and did not produce a warrant.

Additionally, OOPL security and helping police officers merely responded, “We are doing our job,” when confronted by the armed individuals.

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“Management would like to clarify that this EFCC action is a blatant violation of the rights of the people who attended the event, a clear case of invasion of private property, and an infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens.”

The statement further stated that the invasion was still being investigated and called on the EFCC officials to provide an explanation and an apology for violating its and the people’s rights.

It threatened to file a lawsuit if the anti-graft body did not provide the apology and explanation.

In the meanwhile, management requests that the commission provide an explanation for these egregious acts and that the EFCC authorities apologize for violating its rights, as well as to everyone who attended and those who suffered severe injuries as a result of the gangster-like disorder.

The statement also stated that “if there is a failure, the management will be forced to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.”