The Management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State, has reacted to the raid carried out on the facility by the operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Sunday morning.
It was gathered that armed EFCC operatives raided the OOPL during a nighttime gathering at the facility, which belongs to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo’s pent-house residence is located within the sprawling Library modelled after the first American Presidential Library established by 32nd American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
A viral video showed how some youths scampered for safety during the night raid.The operatives reportedly arrested a number of youths and seized “more than 20 luxury cars and other valuable items.
”An official of EFCC said that the operation was carried out by the EFCC operatives from the Lagos Directorate.The agency in a statement posted on its X handle confirmed that a sting operation was carried out in Abeokuta, but failed to mention the particular location.
According to the EFCC, 93 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested while 18 vehicles were seized during the operation. However, in a statement made by the Managing Director of OOLP, Vitalis Ortese, the management described the incident as an invasion and demanded an apology from the commission.
According to him, the OOPL premises were invaded by a Gestapo-likegang of over 50 armed men, shooting guns, threatening to kill people, and purportingto be from the EFCC.He said the alleged invasion, ledby 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.
”Ortese said the management viewed the incident as a “invasion ofprivate property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed astark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.”
He said “It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widelyadvertised to members of the public for days prior.
“It should also be noted that both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the 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.“
And 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 rights as corporate citizens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.
“Management has commenced its Investigations of the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities including the EFCC, the police, and the Department of State Security.
”The MD, therefore, demanded an apology from the anti – graft agency over the incident, failure to which he said the management will be compelled to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.
“In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent actionsfrom the Commission and an apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement of its rights, to all those who gathered, and those who sustained serious injuries from the gangster like induced chaos.
“Failure for which the management will be compelled to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate,” he said.
