Abeokuta: The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has demanded ₦3.5 billion in compensation and a public apology from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following an alleged invasion of its premises on Sunday.
EFCC operatives arrested 93 individuals suspected of internet fraud when they stormed the premises of OOPL. They also seized 18 vehicles and numerous mobile devices. During the raid, several attendees were said to have sustained bodily injuries.
When speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, Vitalis Ortese, OOPL Managing Director, described the Commission’s actions as “unlawful” and “a direct assault on everything this institution stands for.” He described the incident as a violation of private property rights and an infringement on the civil liberties of those present.
“This was not just an invasion of our premises,” Ortese said. “It was an assault on the rule of law and the democratic values we uphold.”
The library’s management is demanding a full investigation into the incident, with findings made public.
They also called for restitution to those arrested and injured, including ₦1 billion in damages for bodily harm and confiscated property. An additional ₦2.5 billion is being sought for reputational and financial losses, including damage to the image of the library’s founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Ortese criticised the lack of coordination between security agencies, noting that police officers stationed at the library were neither informed nor involved in the operation. He warned that such actions undermine public trust in Nigeria’s security institutions and jeopardise lives.
“The indiscretion displayed in this operation has created fear among young Nigerians striving to earn legitimate incomes,” he said. “It sends a troubling message—that creativity and enterprise are suspect, and public spaces are unsafe.”
OOPL has given the EFCC a seven-day ultimatum to meet its demands or face legal action. The management said it has engaged legal counsel, security experts, and civil society partners to pursue accountability and protect the rights of its patrons and staff.
