The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Inspector General of Police a seven-day deadline to issue a public apology over what it called an unlawful invasion of its premises.
The management is also demanding N3.5 billion in compensation for damages and harm to its reputation.
Managing Director of the library, Vitalis Ortese, spoke to reporters in Abeokuta on Wednesday, describing the August 9 and 10 operation as “a direct assault on everything the institution stands for.”
Operatives of the EFCC had stormed the library in the early hours of Sunday, arresting 93 suspected internet fraudsters, and seizing 18 vehicles and mobile devices.
Ortese said both the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force were “jointly and severally liable” for the incident, which he claimed was “aggravated, unconstitutional, oppressive, capricious and arbitrary” and “clearly actuated by malice” against the institution and its founder, former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
He alleged the raid was aimed at oppressing and brutalising more than 100 patrons, causing serious harm to the library’s business interests and the public standing of Obasanjo “both in Nigeria and internationally.”
“We demand a comprehensive investigation by all relevant security agencies with their reports openly published, especially regarding the brutalisation of our patrons, citizens who had apparently done nothing wrong other than engaging in a party as allowed under the law,” Ortese said.
He noted that Obasanjo, his family, friends, and associates live or reside on the library premises, making the raid even more damaging.
The demands include a public apology from the EFCC chairman and the Inspector General of Police, published across major media platforms including television, newspapers, and social media. The library also seeks N1 billion as restitution to those arrested and whose vehicles were seized, and an additional N2.5 billion for reputational damage.
Ortese said lawyers, security experts, and civil society partners had been engaged to “demand accountability, enforce institutional respect, and protect the rights of our patrons and staff.”
He warned that if the demands were not met in full within seven days, legal action would be taken without further notice, and the claims in court would go beyond the stated amounts.
