It’s Criminal To Obstruct Our Operations – EFCC Fumes

• As Gov Ododo ‘helps’ Yahaya Bello to evade arrest
• Conflicting Court orders on arrest of ex-governor

Amid conflicting signals from the courts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that obstruction of its operations by members of the public will no longer be tolerated.

The anti-graft agency’s warning comes on the heels of its failed attempt to arrest the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday following the alleged intervention of the incumbent Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo.

Forefront News reported that operatives of the anti-graft agency had cordoned off the residence of Bello in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja intending to execute a warrant of arrest on him.

However, after laying siege on the residence located on Benghazi Street in the nation’s capital, and waiting for hours without being able to arrest Bello, the Commission’s moves in its bid to pick up the ex-Kogi State governor were thwarted by the sudden arrival of Governor Ododo on the scene.

Reports indicated that Ododo drove into Bello’s premises, and departed shortly allegedly whisking away his successor from the residence to an unknown destination.

As reports filtered in that Bello was inside the Governor’s official vehicle, security operatives, who had been on standby for hours, allegedly reacted with a few gunshots to bring the situation under control, especially as cheers from supporters of the embattled Bello rented the air.

In a statement explaining events that played out at Bello’s residence earlier in the day, the Commission warned that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The statement issued by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, 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. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

According to the statement; “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.”

With this development, the expected arraignment of Bello on a 19-count charge before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday, April 18, 2024, seems to be in jeopardy even as conflicting court orders surfaced on Wednesday over the former governor’s arrest.

In one of the rulings from a Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, the EFCC was restrained from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello.

Justice I. A. Jamil, who gave the order in a two-hour ruling on Wednesday, said infringing on the fundamental human rights of the former Kogi State governor is null and void except as authorised by the Court, stressing thus; “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant except as authorised by the Court. This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given”.

Interestingly, the EFCC also obtained an order from the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to arrest the ex-Kogi State governor in preparation for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024

Below is the full text of the EFCC’s statement captioned; “We Will No Longer Tolerate Obstruction of Our Operations“

“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 of persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their own 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.”

Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
April 17, 2024