The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force a seven-day ultimatum to issue a public apology and pay ₦3.5 billion in damages over a recent raid on its premises.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, OOPL Managing Director, Vitalis Ortese, condemned the August 9–10 operation, describing it as an invasion that left over 100 patrons brutalised, vehicles seized, and business activities within the complex disrupted. He said tourism and investment operations at the facility had been severely affected.
Ortese revealed that security personnel recovered 12 expended AK-47 pellets and a beret allegedly belonging to the operatives. Some victims, he added, remain hospitalised while others are prepared to testify in court.
He accused the EFCC and police of jointly orchestrating “deliberate and malicious damage” to the complex, claiming the attack targeted not just the institution but also its founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“The acts were aggravated, oppressive, and actuated by malice… calculated to damage our legitimate business interests and reputation locally and internationally,” Ortese said.
The OOPL warned that if its demands are not met within the seven-day window—effective from Wednesday—it would have no option but to seek legal redress.
EFCC operatives had claimed the 14-hour operation, which began around 1 a.m. on August 10 and ended at 3 p.m., led to the arrest of 96 suspected internet fraudsters. Ortese, however, insisted the raid endangered the lives of families, tourists, entrepreneurs, and youths lawfully engaged in activities within the complex, further damaging public trust in Ogun State’s tourism sector.
He called on Governor Dapo Abiodun, the National Security Adviser, and other relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence of what he described as “institutional lawlessness.”
Also speaking, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olumide Ayeni, said ballistic experts would analyse the recovered pellets to determine the number of shots fired during the incident. He further accused the operatives of attempting to destroy evidence by seizing and smashing patrons’ mobile phones.