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Obanikoro fights back, sues EFCC, demands N100m

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Obanikoro fights back, sues EFCC, demands N100m

Former minister of state for defence, Sen Musiliu Obanikoro seems to have broken his silence, and is set to fight back against the corruption charges levelled against him.

The former Lagos state governorship hopeful is dragging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before a Federal High Court in Lagos for seizing his property.

He and his family are also demanding for N100 million as general damages against the commission, plus an unreserved public apology.

In the suit filed on Wednesday, Obanikoro and his family want the court to declare, that the forceful seizure of their personal effects constitutes a gross violation of their rights.

The applicants which include Moroophat, Obanikoro’s wife; his sons Gbolahon, Babajide and his wife Fati, are praying the court for an order, setting aside the forceful detention of their properties on June 14, 2016.

They are also pleading the court for an order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining or harassing them or entering their premises again to seize their properties.

Recall that the EFCC had invited Obanikoro on his return to Nigeria, over allegations that collected suspicious payments from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through companies linked to his family.

There were also allegations that he funnelled huge sums of cash to Ekiti state to finance the governorship election of that state that produced Ayodele Fayose as winner.

There were also reports that the former minister returned about N134 million to the Commission, with a promise to refund another N450 million to government in 2017.

Read Also: It’s a lie, Buhari did not bribe Justice Ademola –Presidency

Obanikoro had all the while maintained a guided silence in the face of the elections.

However, his family, though their lawyer, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), said that the documents and properties seized by the EFCC had nothing to do with ONSA.

According to them, the commission violated Regulation 13 of the EFCC (Enforcement Regulation) 2010, by not applying or obtaining a court order to enter and search any premises.

The EFCC however told the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that it acted in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Justice Abdulazeez Anka has fixed March 28 for ruling.

 

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