More controversies trail EFCC’s raid on Ambode’s Lagos residence

More controversy has trailed the search of former Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode’s home.

This is as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that its operatives were attacked by hoodlums loyal to the ex-governor when they went to execute a search warrant on Ambode’s residence in Epe.

EFCC said three officials were injured while an official vehicle was damaged during the incident on Tuesday.

The commission also denied claims it was trying to plant to plant foreign currencies in Ambode’s home.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that some lawyers had accused EFCC of trying to implicate Ambode with some foreign currencies during the search.

The lawyers — Fatai Adebanjo, Busari Olanrewaju and Samson Okuneye — in a joint statement on Tuesday, explained that the operatives wanted to stop them (lawyers) from being a part of the search, but allowed them after they had engaged them in arguments.

They narrated how the EFCC operatives attempted to plant a “ blue bag” which they said contained foreign currency.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s head of media and publicity, noted that the commission “had obtained valid warrant to conduct search on Ambode’s residences in Park View, Ikoyi and country home in Epe, as part of ongoing investigation of alleged malfeasance”.

He maintained that the operatives were attacked and prevented from executing the search warrant in Epe by “irate youths” who injured three officers and damaged the EFCC official vehicle.

READ ALSO: Messy details emerge of how lawyers allegedly foiled EFCC’s moves to plant foreign currencies in Ambode’s home

“The attack was totally unprovoked as the Commission’s operatives were civil and did not molest anybody.

“The Commission therefore frowns at the attempt to manipulate the video of the search to create the wrong impression that officers of the agency molested residents at the Epe home of the governor.

“It is also not true that the search was an attempt to plant foreign currencies in the home of the former governor,” he said.

He stated that the commission frowns at the attempt to manipulate the video of the search to create the wrong impression that officers of the agency molested residents at the Epe home of the governor.

According to him, “It is also not true that the search, was an attempt to plant foreign currencies in the home of the former governor”.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now