ABEOKUTA — The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Inspector-General of Police to publicly apologise over last weekend’s raid on its premises or face legal action demanding ₦3.5 billion in damages.
The Managing Director of OOPL, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, while addressing journalists on Tuesday, described the EFCC’s operation as “unlawful” and “a direct assault on the institution and its values.”
On Sunday, EFCC operatives stormed the library complex, arresting 93 suspected internet fraudsters, and seizing 18 vehicles as well as multiple mobile devices. The raid, which reportedly began in the early hours, was said to have disrupted activities and sparked outrage among patrons and management.
According to Ortese, the ₦3.5 billion compensation being demanded is intended to cover the alleged damage to the institution’s reputation, the violation of the rights of more than 100 persons present during the incident, and the harm caused to the commercial and financial interests of the OOPL and its chief promoter, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“The EFCC and Nigeria Police Force are jointly and severally liable for the deliberate, embarrassing, and utterly malicious damage occasioned by their invasion,” Ortese said. “These actions are aggravated, unconstitutional, oppressive, capricious, and arbitrary. They are clearly actuated by malice against this institution and its Chief Promoter.”
He further alleged that the raid was calculated to “brutalise” innocent guests, many of whom, he claimed, were simply attending a lawful social gathering on the premises.
OOPL’s management has also called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident, particularly into claims of harassment and assault on patrons. “We demand that findings be published openly for the public to see,” Ortese said.
Highlighting the significance of the premises, he noted: “It is a notorious fact that Chief Obasanjo, his family, and several close associates live or reside at the OOPL premises where these unfortunate events took place.”
The EFCC has not issued a formal response to the threat of legal action at press time.
