Lagos, Nigeria – March 3, 2025

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been accused of harassing teachers and students of Goodwill Private Schools in Ikorodu, Lagos State, during a controversial operation at the institution.

According to reports from SaharaReporters, the incident occurred on February 27 and 28, 2025, when EFCC operatives stormed the school premises, allegedly disrupting academic activities and causing panic among students. Witnesses claim that about 16 EFCC officers, armed with weapons, arrived unannounced and began marking the school buildings with the inscription: “Restrain Order, EFCC, Keep Off – 27/2/25.”

Students Held in Assembly Hall, Teacher Threatened

The situation reportedly escalated on February 28, when the EFCC operatives returned in a more aggressive manner. Sources say they forcibly moved secondary school pupils to the primary section and confined them in the assembly hall while they continued their activities.

One of the school’s administrators, Acting Vice Principal Olalekan Adewale, described the terrifying ordeal, revealing that the sight of gun-wielding officers left many pupils in shock, with one reportedly vomiting due to fear.

“The EFCC also threatened to arrest me,” Adewale said. “But when teachers and students insisted on following me to their office in Lagos Island, they changed their minds. It was an embarrassing and traumatic experience for everyone.”

Legal Dispute Over School Property

The incident is tied to an ongoing legal dispute involving the school’s proprietor, Pastor Sunday Omoniyi Enikuomehin, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB). The matter, Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/702/2024, is currently before the Federal High Court, Lagos, and was last heard on February 5, 2025, by Justice A. O. Owoeye.

A petition by Benson Enikuomehin & Co. (Shalom Chambers), obtained by SaharaReporters, claims that the EFCC’s repeated visits violate a court agreement, as their lawyer, Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa, had assured the judge that no action would be taken on the property until the next hearing on April 7, 2025.

Despite this, the EFCC has reportedly made multiple unannounced visits to the school, allegedly attempting to serve legal documents in a manner that raised suspicions.

EFCC Denies Wrongdoing

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, dismissed allegations of harassment, stating that the operatives did not “forcefully invade” the school.

“The visit was routine to secure the property and not an invasion,” Oyewale said. “The property is from proceeds of crime, and our officers went there just to inspect it, as the case is still under investigation.”

Public Outrage and Calls for Investigation

The alleged harassment has sparked public outrage, with critics questioning the EFCC’s approach in handling legal disputes involving schools and minors. Legal experts argue that the commission’s actions, if true, could amount to contempt of court, as the matter remains under judicial review.

Parents and education stakeholders are now calling for an independent investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for law enforcement agencies to respect legal proceedings and protect children from undue trauma.

The case is expected to resume on April 7, 2025, where further legal arguments will be made regarding the ownership and status of the school property.