The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta has demanded a total compensation of N3.5 billion from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a recent raid on its facility.
The management of the library, in a press conference on Wednesday, described the EFCC operation as illegal, violent, and damaging to the image and business interests of the library and its founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The raid occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 10, at the OOPL’s recreational centre, Rounda Fun Spot, during a youth party tagged “Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza.”
According to the Managing Director of OOPL, Vitalis Ortese, EFCC operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 stormed the premises around 2 a.m., arresting 93 youths and seizing 18 vehicles and several mobile phones.
Ortese said the operatives, numbering over 50 and allegedly led by one “Olapade”, conducted the raid in a “gestapo-like” manner — firing gunshots, threatening to kill, and causing chaos and injuries among partygoers.
“We demand a public apology from the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force, and N3.5 billion in damages: N2.5 billion for the reputational harm caused to OOPL and Chief Obasanjo, and N1 billion as compensation for the victims,” Ortese said.
The library is also demanding that all arrested individuals be compensated for bodily injuries and the loss of personal items, and that the authorities issue public apologies across all major television, print, and online platforms.
OOPL has issued a 7-day ultimatum, warning that if their demands are not met, legal action will be taken against the EFCC and Police.
Also speaking at the press briefing, OOPL Legal Adviser, Olumide Ayeni, SAN, said physical evidence — including a bullet shell and beret left behind by the operatives — proves there was indiscriminate shooting during the operation.
The library described the incident as “unconstitutional, oppressive, and malicious,” insisting that the raid was intended to embarrass both the institution and its Chief Promoter, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State (1976–1979) and President (1999–2007).
The EFCC is yet to respond to the claims as at the time of filing this report.
