The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has disclosed that its operatives invaded Urban Radio 94.5FM Enugu on Monday to arrest a journalist reportedly linked to a N700 million Ponzi scheme.
The clarification came after an uproar by the management of Urban Radio claiming that EFCC operatives invaded the station to arrest a presenter, Favour EKOH during a live broadcast on Monday evening.
Urban Radio alleged that operatives also confiscated some communication equipment without providing reasons for their actions.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewoale said Ekoh was not apprehended while on air and emphasized that the agency did not interfere with lawful activities at the station.
Oyewale explained that the EFCC operatives arrived at the station with an arrest warrant and informed Bamikole Owoyomi, the managing director, about their mission.
“However, in a rather unusual turn of events, a staff member of the station informed the chairman of the radio station to lock the building’s gates, effectively trapping the officers inside.
“Confronted with this hostility, they called for a rescue team, which ultimately apprehended Owoyomi, Ekoh, and the two security guards who had confined them within the station’s premises,” claimed EFCC.
The EFCC spokesperson stated that the agency invited Ekoh regarding an alleged N700 million ponzi scheme involving no fewer than 50 victims. He said the individual in question allegedly enticed victims to invest in a scheme “where they were promised returns of 10 percent on their capital after a certain period.”
“The victims claimed that after putting their money into the company situated at No. 1 Colliery Street, Okpara Avenue, Enugu State, the company shut its office without returning any investment or principal to them.
“Ekoh allegedly invited the victims into the business and she retained the only link the victims could hold,” the EFCC claimed
Oyewale said no equipment was removed from the station and the accussed has since been released after making a statement at the Enugu office.
“Owoyomi and the two security guards were arrested for obstructing justice, as they initially hindered the operatives from performing their official duties. They also provided statements to that effect and have since been released,” said EFCC..
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