Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has filed a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged threat to arrest, detain, and prosecute him after his tenure ends.

The suit, filed by Sanwo-Olu’s lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Ozurumba informed the court that he had withdrawn the initial originating summons and replaced it with a new one.

He added that the anti-graft agency had been duly served with the updated court documents.

However, EFCC’s counsel, Hadiza Afegbua, stated that she had not yet seen the documents.

Justice Abdulmalik also noted that the proof of service was missing from the court file and adjourned the case to November 11 for further mention.

The originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024 and filed on June 6, contains seven questions and 11 reliefs sought by the governor.

What Sanwo-Olu is Seeking from Court
Sanwo-Olu is requesting a declaration that, under 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 seeks a declaration that, under Sections 43 and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution, he is entitled to acquire, own, operate, and manage both movable and immovable property, including bank accounts, “as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the constitution either before, during, and after leaving public office of governor of a state.”

Sanwo-Olu further argues that based on a reading of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the Constitution, any threat of investigation, arrest, or detention by the EFCC during his tenure is unlawful.

He contends that such actions would be unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed by Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Additionally, the governor is asking the court to declare that the alleged harassment, threats of arrest, and detention instigated by political adversaries through the EFCC, based on what he described as false and politically motivated allegations of corruption, constitute an abuse of executive power and public office.

Restraining Order on EFCC
Sanwo-Olu further urged the court to declare the EFCC’s actions as an unwarranted interference with his fundamental rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, fair hearing, and equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, CAP A9 LFN 2004.

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

He also requested the court to issue an order prohibiting the commission from seizing his properties, international passport, or travel documents, or from freezing the bank accounts of either himself or his family members, in any way that would further violate his fundamental rights under the Constitution.

Additionally, Sanwo-Olu prayed for an order preventing the EFCC from inviting, arresting, or detaining him over matters relating to his tenure as governor. He emphasized the need for the court to protect his fundamental rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, private and family life, freedom of movement, and the acquisition of movable and immovable property, as enshrined in Nigerian law.

https://nairametrics.com/2024/10/29/sanwo-olu-sues-efcc-over-alleged-plan-to-arrest-prosecute-him-after-tenure/

Do you know the meaning of monopolist?



Whilst you were busy playing 'Ludo'.......some were playing 'Monopoly'

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday departed Abuja for Sweden on a two-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation.

The spokesperson of the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement, said Mr Shettima, during the working visit, will engage in high-level bilateral talks with key government officials.

The visit is at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the vice president will hold a meeting with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and the Swedish Prime Minister.

Similarly, Mr Nkwocha said Mr Shettima would use the visit to explore opportunities for strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and Sweden.

The talks would be in areas such as ICT, innovation, education, digitalisation, sustainable transport, mining, and agriculture.

Mr Nkwocha said, ”He (Shettima) will also meet with key stakeholders in both the government and private sector.”

He also revealed that the vice president would meet with Norrsken, a Stockholm-based venture capital impact investor, which recently launched Norrsken22, a $205 million tech investment fund for Africa.

Mr Nkwocha explained that Norrsken22 is a technology growth fund backed by over 30 prominent unicorn founders, partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs to build Africa’s next tech giants.

”The meeting with Norrsken will provide insights into how Nigerian entrepreneurs can benefit from this fund and further strengthen the technology ecosystem in Nigeria.

” Notably, 40 per cent of the investments from Norrsken22 are expected to be allocated to Nigerian technology entrepreneurs.

” Twelve Nigerian private sector companies that are doing business with Sweden are going independently as a private sector bloc,” he said.

Mr Nkwocha stated that Mr Shettima is also expected to articulate Nigeria’s economic vision and the reforms being undertaken by the administration to create a business-friendly environment in Nigeria for investors.

He added, ”The myriad of opportunities that abound in Africa’s largest economy will also be showcased.”

The vice-president is expected back in the country on Saturday.

(NAN)

https://gazettengr.com/shettima-departs-for-sweden-on-two-day-bilateral-visit/

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s economic challenges are insignificant and manageable as long as the right policies are put in place.

Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, spoke at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES30) tagged ‘Collaborative Action for Growth, Competitiveness, and Stability’ on Monday, in Abuja.

The president said the challenges faced in Nigeria are not insurmountable, adding that the country will overcome them with the right partnerships and management.

“Like many other nations, Nigeria has experienced significant economic problems over the past few years. The challenges have been global as well as domestic,” he said.

“Nigeria’s growth trajectory has been volatile, heavily dependent on oil revenues, and unable to create enough jobs to keep pace with our rapidly growing population.

“As a nation, we must prioritise economic diversification. We need to harness our potential so that we can transform our anticipated demographic bulge into demographic dividends, not the demographic disaster that will consume all of us.”

Tinubu also said his administration has made significant strides in addressing several key issues, including regulatory bottlenecks and ease of doing business challenges.

According to the president, the progress will instil confidence in the country’s collective ability to overcome the challenges.

“We are also implementing fiscal reforms to stabilise the macro-economic environment,” he added.

“Removing fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and debt management strategies are all part of a broader effort to restore economic balance and ensure long-term stability.

“It is also important to note that stability is not just about managing crises as they arise.


“It is about building a resilient economy that can withstand shocks. Ensuring the stability of the macroeconomic indicators and sustaining growth trajectory.

“I want to emphasise that the challenges before us are insignificant and manageable and can be overcome. With the right policies, the right partnerships, and the right level of commitment, Nigeria can emerge stronger, more competitive, and more resilient.”

On his part, Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, assured Nigerians that despite the hardship in the land, there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

Bagudu said he is confident about the state of the nation’s economy.

According to the minister, the country is facing the right direction with a decline in inflation among other economic indices.

“What has been achieved is a result of boldness, resilience and collaboration. We need more to compensate for the decades of under-investment and to ensure that we deliver a collaborative, competitive and stable environment.”



In his remarks, Niyi Yusuf, chairman, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), said the federal government must prioritise institutional reforms, particularly in reducing the cost of governance and optimising public assets to grow the economy.


“We must create frameworks that enhance productivity, unlock key sectors, optimise underperforming assets and strengthen our markets to foster trade and investment,” Yusuf said.

“Our natural resources have shaped our past, but I am convinced that it is our productive human resources and our talented youthful demography that will define our future, while the private sector will be the engine of our growth.


“Hence, government at all levels — executives, legislative and judiciary — MDAs, and regulators must all work to fuel and not frustrate this engine of growth. Money moves at the speed of light, hence Governance too must be fast and transparent.

“By attracting private capital and expertise, we can ensure that our national assets are used efficiently to benefit all Nigerians.”

Yusuf also said beyond economic reforms, Nigeria faces social dimensional challenges.

“We need to do more, do better, and act faster,” he added.

Yusuf also reiterated the importance of building a stable and inclusive economic environment through strategic legislative and regulatory reforms.

https://www.thecable.ng/tinubu-nigerias-economic-challenges-are-insignificant-and-manageable/

Vice President Kassim Shettima, speaking at the Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, expressed deep empathy on behalf of himself and President Bola Tinubu for the hardships Nigerians are facing due to the government’s economic reforms.

Despite the challenges, Shettima stated that the reforms are crucial to achieving sustainable growth.

“Our hearts go out to Nigerians, especially the poor and young, enduring difficult times,” Shettima said. “But we have no option if we must return Nigeria to the path of sustainable economic growth.”

He emphasized that Nigeria’s economy has been volatile, over-reliant on oil, and unable to create enough jobs for the country’s rapidly growing population. To address this, Shettima outlined the government’s focus on diversifying the economy through sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the digital economy.

He also highlighted the government’s efforts to support small and medium-sized businesses, improve infrastructure, and remove regulatory bottlenecks. Shettima noted that the administration has introduced single-digit interest loans for manufacturers and a new credit corporation to offer consumer loans to workers.

On security, the Vice President stressed the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and banditry, while also implementing fiscal reforms like subsidy removal and debt management to stabilize the economy.

Shettima urged collaboration between the public and private sectors to overcome Nigeria’s economic challenges, adding that the Nigeria Economic Summit serves as a platform to foster dialogue and drive actionable recommendations for growth and stability.

“The challenges are significant, but they are manageable,” Shettima concluded. “With the right policies, partnerships, and cohesion, Nigeria can emerge stronger, more competitive, and resilient.”