Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has dismissed reports alleging he filed a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to block his arrest and prosecution after leaving office. The Lagos State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, issued a statement on Wednesday debunking the claims, calling them baseless and misleading.
According to Pedro, the governor never engaged any lawyer to take legal action against the EFCC and has no reason to do so. “At no time did Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu sue or brief any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf concerning the alleged matter,” the statement read.
The attorney general emphasized that the notion of Sanwo-Olu seeking legal protection was illogical, given that the governor still enjoys constitutional immunity and has nearly three years remaining in office. “It is disingenuous for anyone to suggest that a sitting governor, with immunity and ample time left in his tenure, would engage in such actions,” Pedro remarked.
He further denied rumors that the EFCC had launched an investigation or issued any threat of arrest against the governor or his staff. Pedro revealed that the government is actively probing the source of these reports and urged media outlets to exercise caution, warning them against spreading false information without proper verification.
The statement also highlighted Sanwo-Olu’s exemplary performance in office, insisting that his transparent management of Lagos State’s resources leaves him with nothing to fear when he eventually steps down in May 2027. "The governor has been committed to service delivery and the prudent management of public resources. He has no reason to be concerned about any post-tenure investigation," Pedro assured.
Rumors of the lawsuit surfaced on Tuesday, alleging that Sanwo-Olu had instructed a lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, to file a suit against the EFCC. According to the reports, the lawsuit sought to prevent the anti-corruption agency from arresting or detaining the governor, labeling any such action as illegal and unconstitutional.
The alleged suit reportedly included an affidavit filed by Martha Kanu, who claimed in the document that the governor briefed her on the matter during a teleconference. Kanu reportedly stated that Sanwo-Olu warned her that the EFCC was planning to arrest his aides and family members over allegations of fund diversion. However, Pedro dismissed these claims, affirming that the EFCC had neither invited nor threatened any staff member of the governor’s administration.
Sanwo-Olu’s administration is now investigating the source of these reports, which Pedro described as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the governor’s reputation. "This is nothing but misinformation meant to distract from the important work Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing to improve the lives of Lagosians," the statement concluded.
