The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned the general public that it will no longer tolerate the obstruction of its operations.
Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, in a press statement warned members of the general public that it was criminal to obstruct its personnel from carrying out their legitimate and lawful duties.
Oyewale said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
“Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.
“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions.”
Related Stories
- Edo State Government Reacts to Arrest of Accountant General and Officials by EFCC
- 16 States Challenge EFCC Laws Amid Lingering Corruption Cases
This warning is likely to be a response to the obstruction of its personnel from arresting the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.
Recall that the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, visited Bello’s house while the personnel of the Commission cordoned the house in an attempt to arrest him. Ododo was alleged to have taken his predecessor away, thereby preventing the personnel from arresting the former governor.