The management of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta has threatened to report officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that arrested suspected internet fraudsters at their premises.
OOPL is owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it houses many facilities such as library and museum, presidential garage, amphitheatre, event centres, wildlife park, rounda fun spot, water sports, tennis court, gym and sauna, dining and relaxation, rock café, bamboo restaurant and bar, a lounge and Green Legacy Resort – a 4-star hotel with luxurious rooms, a swimming pool, gym, and spa.
In the early hours of Sunday, EFCC officials stormed the premises and apprehended 93 suspected internet fraudsters, a development the agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, announced via a statement he released in which he was silent on where the arrest was made due to the personality of the owner of the premises.
OOPL management has expressed disgust at the Sunday’s action of the EFCC at its premises.
It described the sting operation as an “invasion” and “Gestapo-like manner”, and threatened to report those involved to appropriate authorities.
The threat was contained in a statement authored by one Kehinde Adeyemi in which OOPL related its grievances: “This (yesterday) morning, at about 2:00 a.m., the premises of the OOPL were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, purportedly from the EFCC.
“The invasion, led by one ‘Olapade’, caused serious panic and chaos, leading to severe injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and near carnage that resulted, as well as terror among residents on the site.
“On inquiry by phone, the said ‘Olapade’ informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence tip about a ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ (internet fraud) activity at the venue.
“They also claimed the incident took place during a private event in the amusement facility of the complex.
“It should be noted that the event in question was a private event that had been widely advertised to members of the public for days prior.
“Both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the Kemta Police Station at the request of management confirmed they had been duly informed of the event.
“The organisers of the event and the management stated that they were not informed of any planned EFCC operation, nor did the EFCC operatives present any warrant.
“When asked about their actions, the EFCC agents simply retorted: ‘We are doing our job.’
“The OOPL management states that this action by the EFCC constitutes a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.
“Management has commenced its investigation into the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“In the meantime, management demands an explanation for these impudent actions from the EFCC, as well as a public apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement of its rights, the rights of all attendees, and for the injuries sustained by victims of the gangster-like, induced chaos.
“Failure to do so will compel management to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.”
