The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a warning against anyone who obstructs its operations across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agency stated that it would no longer tolerate such behaviour and that any person found doing so would be treated according to the law.
It stressed that it is considered a criminal offence to obstruct EFCC officers from carrying out their lawful duties, and anyone caught doing so risks imprisonment.
This statement was released by the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday and was aimed at curbing such incidents in the future.
According to the statement, “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”.
The announcement came after the planned arrest of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello was interrupted by the current Governor, Ahmed Ododo, who took him away to prevent his arrest.
The EFCC had laid siege to Bello’s home to carry out the arrest, but the Governor’s intervention forced the agency to withdraw its officials.
