By Uche Onyeali
Management of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun State has threatened to take legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over yesterday’s raid on its facility.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the anti-graft commission around 2am stormed the library and arrested 93 youths, seized 18 vehicles and mobile devices during a Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza party held at OOPL, Rounda fun spot.
A viral video showed how some youths scampered for safety during the raid.
According to a statement posted by EFCC on its official X account, the raid followed credible intelligence about the youths suspected involvement in internet crimes.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, Vitalis Ortese, in a statement obtained by newsmen, noted that the operatives invaded the facility with over 50 armed men, shooting guns and threatening to kill people.
He lamented that the invasion, led by one ‘Olapade’, caused panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants who were trying to escape the shooting.
Ortese described the action as a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen and a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.
The statement reads: “This morning, at about 2am, OOPL’s premises were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, shooting guns, threatening to kill people and purporting to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“The invasion, led by one “Olapade” caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and near carnage that resulted, and causing terror among residents on the site.
“On inquiry by phone, the ‘Olapade’ informed the managing director of the OOPL establishment that they were acting on intelligence tip about a private event in the amusement facility of the complex. They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation.
“It should be noted that it was a private event that had been widely advertised to members of the public for days prior. It should also be noted that both the police officers stationed at OOPL gates and the additional police sent from Kemta Police Station, as requested by the organizers of the event and management, stated that they were not informed of any planned operation by the EFCC and neither did they present any warrant.
“When the armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they simply retorted, “we are doing our job.
“Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL’s rights as corporate citizens and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.”
The statement added that investigation into the invasion is ongoing and demanded for an explanation and apology from the EFCC for the infringement of its rights and that of those who gathered there.
It threatened to take legal action if the anti-graft agency fails to issue an explanation and apology.
“Failure for which the management will be compelled to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate,” the statement added.
