Principal anti graft agency in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, says it will no longer tolerate attempts at obstructing it’s officers on lawful duty, vowing dire retributions on future offenders when caught.
The warning comes from a statement released by Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity, EFCC.
The statement comes after the commission secured an arrest warrant against Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, said to have evaded arrest attempts.
Though Oyewale was silent on why the warning comes at this time, but observers see it as a reaction to what transpired yesterday at the Abuja residence of the ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello after attempt by EFCC was obstructed.
As reported on many media outlets, there was a reported standoff on Wednesday between the agency’s operatives on the one hand and a combination of some suspected thugs with security details of a north central governor while trying to arrest ex Governor Bello, over alleged financial crimes.
Speaking through the release, EFCC warns 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,” Oyewale explained.