It’s criminal to obstruct our operations – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that it will no longer tolerate obstruction of its operations.

This comes after the anti-graft agency failed in its attempt to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday.

But for the arrival of the incumbent governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, security operatives were planning to forcefully arrest Bello.

Daily Trust had reported how the anti-graft agency laid siege to the residence of Bello in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

The operatives, who stormed Bello’s residence in dozens, cordoned off Benghazi Street, where the residence of Bello is.

After waiting for hours without being able to arrest Bello, the anti-graft agency reinforced in its bid to forcefully arrest the ex-governor the way a former governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha, was arrested a few years ago.

They were planning to forcefully arrest him before the arrival of Ododo.

Ododo, who drove into Bello’s compound, departed after a while.

However, as he was leaving, reports filtered in that Bello was in his vehicle, forcing security operatives who had been on standby for hours to open fire.

Reacting to the drama that played out, the EFCC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, warned 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,” the Commission said.