The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called upon the Nigerian Union of Journalists to investigate allegations regarding the obstruction of its operatives by officials of Urban Radio Enugu during a raid at the station on Monday.
Earlier reports indicated that some EFCC operatives arrested a presenter, Favour Ekoh, at the station amidst claims of a live broadcast.
The management of Urban Radio Enugu released a statement asserting that the operatives apprehended Ms. Ekoh during a program and alleged that they seized some broadcast equipment during the operation.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale clarified the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He detailed that four EFCC operatives were dispatched to the radio station specifically to arrest Ms. Ekoh, who is being investigated by the Enugu Zonal Directorate in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme involving approximately 50 victims, with reported losses totaling around N700 million.
Oyewale explained that upon their arrival, the operatives presented a warrant of arrest and identified themselves to the station’s Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi, outlining their mission.
“However, in a rather strange twist, a staff of the station called the chairman of the radio station who ordered that the gate of the building be locked in and out, thereby holding the officers hostage,” he stated.
Faced with this unexpected resistance, the operatives summoned a rescue team, which ultimately led to the arrest of Mr. Owoyomi, Ms. Ekoh, and two security guards who had locked them inside the premises.
The EFCC spokesperson emphasized that Ms. Ekoh had to be tracked to the station for her arrest because the nature of the alleged fraudulent activities warranted a sting operation to prevent her from evading capture or going underground.
“Ekoh had to be trailed to the station for an arrest because the nature of the fraudulent dealings necessitated a sting operation that would foreclose her escape or going underground,” he explained.
Following her apprehension, Ms. Ekoh was later released after providing a statement at the EFCC office in Enugu.
Oyewale further noted that Mr. Owoyomi and the two security guards, who were initially detained for obstructing justice, were also released after making their statements.
Expressing disappointment over the incident, Oyewale condemned the actions of the media outfit for obstructing the EFCC personnel from fulfilling their duties.
He urged the International Press Institute and the NUJ to conduct an investigation into the station’s conduct concerning integrity and ethical professional practices.
He maintained that Ms. Ekoh was not arrested during a live program and that the EFCC operatives did not disrupt the station’s activities during their operation.
Additionally, he clarified that no broadcast equipment was seized by the operatives.
According to Mr. Oyewale, the victims of the alleged Ponzi scheme claimed that Ms. Ekoh had lured them into investing in the scheme, referred to as “Life Trading,” which was operated by a company called Leverage Index Limited.
He stated, “Ekoh allegedly invited the victims into the business and she remained the only link the victims could hold.” The company’s office is located on Okpara Avenue in Enugu State.
