By Jide Ajao, Abeokuta
Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Management has condemned the invasion of its premises by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, around 2 am on Sunday.
The EFCC claimed its operatives from the Lagos Zonal Office arrested 93 suspected Internet fraudsters during the raid.
Managing Director of OOPL, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, in a statement on Sunday made available to journalists described this sting operation as claimed by the EFCC as a blatant disrespect to the people’s fundamental rights as well as the rights of the OOPL as a corporate citizen.
The statement read in part: “The invasion, led by one “Olapade’, caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among
participants trying to escape the shooting and the carnage that resulted, and causing terror among residents on the site.
“On inquiry by phone, the ‘Olapade’ informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence about a private event in the amusement facility of the complex.
“They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation.
“It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widely advertised 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 organisers 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”.
“The 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.
“The 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.
“In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent actions from 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.”