We will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person to obstruct our operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions – EFCC says after Ododo interfered in Yahaya Bello’s attempted arrest
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning that impeding its officers from carrying out their lawful duties constitutes a criminal offense.
This caution follows an incident where Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, intervened when EFCC operatives laid siege to the home of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday, April 17.
Earlier, EFCC operatives had restricted movement in and around Bello’s residence on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. However, Ododo arrived at the location and escorted Bello away.
The anti-graft agency had implicated Bello in an amended money laundering charge filed against Alli Bello, the chief of staff to the current governor of Kogi.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the agency, said the warning became necessary due to 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”.
”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,“ the statement reads.
“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.”
