The attempt by some officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to incriminate the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode when his residence was invaded during the early hours of today had been resisted, Young Lawyers in Epe (YLE) has revealed.
Recall that the media was awash with the news of the invasion earlier today, Aug 28, 2019, information at our disposal revealed that the anti graft agency men actually were on a mischief mission to incriminate the former governor under the pretence of searching his premises.
According to the press released signed by Fatai A. Adebanjo, Busari M. Olanrewaju, and Samson K. Okuneye, all members of the YLE, it was stated that despite the fact that the search warrant was genuine, they were suspicious of the real intention of the officers.
“We got to the scene and met with the officials of the EFCC to inquire whether they have a search warrant to search the premises of the Ex Governor.
“Having confirmed the Search Warrant, the EFCC officials told us that nobody will follow them in as they will only go in alone. We resisted as young lawyers and stated expressly that the principle of search is that the owner of the premises of his representatives must be present to observe the search,” they claimed.
The EFCC agreed. They further requested to search all the officials of the EFCC who intended to go in to effect the search.
It was, however, in the process, the young lawyers noticed a blue bag which the officials were holding. On enquiry as to the content of the bag, the officials of the EFCC resisted.
The lawyers, therefore, stated that the bag wouldn’t be allowed into the house.
“We later got to know that the bag contained foreign currency which they brought to plant in the house of the Ex Governor to incriminate him.
“It is important to inform the public that before the entered the house, we all submitted our phones to them as they requested that the only person required to go in with phone is one of them who will record the whole process.”
It seemed to be a difficult assignment for the EFCC as the lawyers tackled them all the way.
“All documents, including the State Executive Exco Meetings Vol 1 – 16 in the personal study of the Ex Governor and His Luggage room which they intended to take along with them for further investigation was resisted by us as we told them that failure to take records of all the documents from A-Z, they cannot go out with anything and they agreed with us.
“Flowing from the aforesaid, they searched the nooks and crannies of the Ex Governor’s house and they couldn’t find any incriminating documents or materials. We authoritatively assert that, they didn’t find anything in the house and they didn’t leave the house with anything.
“We followed them as they entered from one place to the other, when our presence was intimidating them, they said we should sit down while they will do the search. We resisted that we must follow them to observe every of their activities in the premises.”
They further revealed, “To our greatest consternation, the officials of EFCC led by Rotimi Oyedepo, held on to our phones and told us to follow them to their office in Ikoyi to get our phones. All efforts to get back our phones was abortive as the EFCC officials led by Rotimi Oyedepo, Esq rushed into their white Hiace Bus with our phones and instructed that since we have resisted their efforts to take “the said blue bag” into the main premises of the Ex Governor, they will hold on to the phone. Thus, almost six (6) phones were forcefully taken away, iPhones inclusive.”
The Young Lawyers in Epe stated that they were overjoyed to have been part of the process to legally and successfully resist the EFCC from incriminating the ex-governor with the blue bag they brought with them from an unknown destination, and also compelled the officials of the EFCC to conduct the search within the ambit of the law.
