Obasanjo Library Demands N3.5bn, 7-Day Ultimatum to EFCC Over Armed Raid

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force, demanding a total of N3.5 billion in compensation over the August 10 raid on its premises. The management said the raid caused severe damage to the reputation, business, and finances of the institution and its founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to OOPL’s Managing Director, Vitalis Ortese, EFCC operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 arrived at the facility around 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 10, during a “Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza” party at the OOPL Rounda fun spot. Ninety-three youths were arrested, 18 vehicles seized, and several mobile devices taken. Ortese alleged that the over 50 armed men, led by an officer identified as “Olapade,” fired shots, threatened to kill people, and caused panic, injuries, and chaos as guests scrambled for safety.

The demands include N1 billion compensation for those arrested and injured, as well as for vehicles seized, and an additional N2.5 billion for what the management described as immense reputational and financial damage. They also want public apologies from both the EFCC Chairman and the Inspector General of Police, to be published across major TV stations, newspapers, and social media platforms.

Ortese said the actions of the EFCC and police were “aggravated, unconstitutional, oppressive, capricious, and arbitrary,” claiming they were carried out with malice against the library and Obasanjo. He called for a public investigation into the incident, with findings openly published, especially regarding the alleged brutalisation of patrons who, he insisted, had committed no crime.

The management warned that if the demands were not met in full within seven days from Wednesday, August 13, they would seek legal redress in court, where their claims would not be limited to the current compensation requests.

OOPL’s Legal Adviser, Olumide Ayeni, SAN, said evidence from the scene—including a beret and a fired bullet shell—showed that indiscriminate shooting took place during the operation.