Olusegun Obasanjo Library Tackles EFCC Over Midnight Raid, Demands Apology

The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has strongly condemned an early Sunday raid by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as an unlawful invasion that disrupted a private event and left attendees injured.

According to OOPL, armed EFCC operatives stormed the premises around 2 a.m., firing gunshots and causing panic among guests, who sustained injuries while fleeing. The operation, allegedly led by an official named Olapade, was carried out without prior notice or a warrant, despite police officers already being present at the venue.

In a statement by Managing Director Vitalis Ortese, OOPL denounced the raid as a violation of human and corporate rights, demanding an explanation and a public apology from the EFCC. The library warned of legal action if the anti-graft agency fails to respond appropriately.

“Management demands an explanation for these reckless actions and an apology to all affected individuals, particularly those injured in the chaos. Failure to comply will result in legal redress,” the statement read.

OOPL revealed that police officers on duty, including reinforcements from Kemta Police Station, were unaware of the EFCC’s operation. The library has launched its own investigation and plans to escalate the matter to higher authorities, including the police and the Department of State Security (DSS).

Meanwhile, the EFCC confirmed a separate raid in Abeokuta on Sunday, announcing the arrest of 93 suspected internet fraudsters.

However, the commission has yet to address OOPL’s allegations.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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