In response to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) raid on the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the administration has threatened to file a lawsuit against the agency.
At around two in the morning on Sunday, officers from Lagos Zone 2 invaded the venue, detained ninety-three young people, and confiscated eighteen vehicles and mobile devices during a Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza party at the OOPL, Rounda entertainment venue.
A widely shared video captured how some young people frantically sought refuge during the nighttime raid.
The raid was carried out in response to credible information regarding the young people’s alleged involvement in online crimes, the EFCC said in a statement published on its official X account.
In response, OOPL Ventures’ managing director, Vitalis Ortese, stated in a statement that reporters were able to obtain that the operatives stormed the facility with more than fifty armed men brandishing firearms and threatening to kill victims.
He bemoaned the fact that the invasion, spearheaded by one “Olapade,” resulted in pandemonium and fear, causing participants who were attempting to flee the shooting to suffer severe injuries.
OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen were violated, private property was clearly invaded, and the rights of those who attended the event were flagrantly and egregiously violated, according to Ortese.
“This morning, at around 2 a.m., a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, posing as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), invaded the OOPL premises, shooting guns, threatening to kill people,” the statement continues.
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“One ‘Olapade’ led the invasion, which resulted in severe chaos and panic, serious injuries to participants attempting to flee the ensuing shooting and near-carnage, and fear among locals on the scene.”
After contacting Mr. Vitalis Ortese, the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, the “Olapade” explained over the phone that they were responding to an intelligence report regarding a private event taking place in the complex’s amusement center. They also told management that the operation had been properly reported to the police.
It is important to remember that the event was private, yet it had been heavily publicized for days before. As requested by the event organizers and management, the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police officers sent from the Kemta Police Station also stated that they were not notified of any planned operation by the EFCC and did not produce a warrant.
Additionally, when OOPL security and supporting police officers confronted the armed guys, they merely responded, “We are doing our job.”
In addition to violating OOPL’s rights as corporate citizens and clearly invading private property, management wants to clarify that the EFCC’s action is a flagrant and egregious violation of the rights of those who attended the event.
The statement also said that the invasion was still being investigated and that the EFCC officials should apologize and explain why their rights and those of the people who gathered there were violated.
If the anti-graft agency does not provide the explanation and apology, it has threatened to file a lawsuit.
“In the interim, management requests that the commission provide an explanation for these egregious acts and that the EFCC authorities apologize for violating its rights, to all those present, and to those who suffered severe injuries as a result of the gangster-like chaos that was caused.”
“A failure for which the management will be obliged to pursue appropriate remedies and sanctions,” the statement continued.
