The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has warned, that it is a criminal offence to obstruct its officers from carrying out their lawful duties.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale in a statement Wednesday night, said the warning becomes necessary against the increasing tendency of 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.
He said, “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 EFCC said.
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 as culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
LEADERSHIP recalls that operatives of the anti-graft agency were on Wednesday frustrated by a crowd of supporters from arresting the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Abuja.
There was pandemonium as the sound of gunshots rend the air when Kogi State governor, Ododo, allegedly prevented the arrest of his predecessor in office and political godfather.
LEADERSHIP earlier reported a standoff at Bello’s residence on Wednesday afternoon when armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the premises to carry out Bello’s arrest.
Ododo, who had arrived at the residence amid the standoff, was suspected to have later departed the residence with Bello in his official vehicle with tinted glasses.
Hours after the arrival of the EFCC operatives and the inability to achieve their mission, they reinforced with backup support from the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.
However, as Governor Ododo was leaving Bello’s residence, the security operatives got the feelers that the former governor was in the governor’s vehicle. This development prompted them to open fire.
The Nigerian law offers immunity to the president and the vice, the governors and their deputies from arrest and prosecution in their private capacities until after the expiration of their tenure.
