EFCC Denies Arresting Journalist at Urban Radio Enugu, Justifies Invasion of Media House

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports that it arrested a journalist, Favour Ekoh during a live broadcast at Urban Radio 94.5FM in Enugu, Enugu State.

A statement on its Meta (formerly Facebook) page explained that Ekoh taken to its office to answer questions pertaining allegations of her involvement in a Ponzi scheme to the tune of N700 million, while the station’s Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi, and two guards were arrested on charges on obstruction of justice and holding its operatives hostage.

The Commission said all four persons have also been released after giving their statements at its Enugu office.

The statement by the Commission reads in part:

“On Monday, October 14, 2024 a team of operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, comprising four officers were at Urban Radio 94.5FM, Enugu to invite one Favour Ekoh, host of Prime Time, a programme running at the Station.

“Ekoh is being investigated by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC in an alleged N700 million Ponzi scheme fraud involving about fifty (50) victims. According to the victims, Ekoh allegedly lured them into investing in a scheme “Life Trading” in a company, Leverage Index Limited, where they were offered returns on investment of 10 percent of their capitals after a period of time.

“The victims alleged that after investing their money into the company located at No. 1 Colliery Street, Okpara Avenue, Enugu State, the company closed its office with no return on investment or principal returned to the victims. Ekoh allegedly invited the victims into the business and she remained the only link the victims could hold.

“At the Radio Station, operatives of the Commission, holding a warrant of arrest for Ekoh, identified themselves as officers of the EFCC. They informed the Managing Director of the Station, Bamikole Owoyomi, about 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. Faced with such hostility, they called for a rescue team which eventually arrested Omoyomi, Ekoh and the two security guards that locked them within the premises of the Station.

“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. She was neither arrested while on air nor any disruption of the lawful activities of the Radio Station took place. No equipment of the Station was tampered with and she has since been released after being allowed to make a Statement at the Enugu office.

“Owoyomi and the two security guards were arrested for obstruction of justice as they initially prevented the operatives from carrying out their official duty. They also made statements to that effect and had since been released.

“The EFCC holds the media in high esteem both as the fourth estate of the realm and critical stakeholder in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, but the precipitate and unlawful obstruction of officers of the Commission from carrying out their duties, by staff of the Radio Station, is unacceptable. Besides, the professional credentials of Ekoh, a principal suspect in a Ponzi scheme to the tune of N700m affecting 50 innocent Nigerians, are questionable.

“The Commission hereby calls on the International Press Institute, IPI, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to investigate the conduct of the Station in the light of integrity and ethical professional practice.”

The invasion of the radio station has caused an uproar among stakeholders as it generated lots of controversies among the publics, questioning the actions of the operatives of the Commission, and the continuous and countless unlawful invasion of different business entities under the administration of President Ahmed Tinubu.

The Tinubu led administration appears to have etched its name in opprobrium as its officials, one after the other, engage in impunity, lawless conduct and dictatorial tendencies.

From the invasion of Okuama Community in Delta State by the Nigerian military to the invasion and disruption of a women’s programme by the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to the invasion and mass arrests of young people at various hotels across the country by the EFCC, the Tinubu administration has clearly indicated it has no respect for the rule of law or human rights of its citizens.