The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday warned members of the public against obstructing its operations, describing such as criminal offence.
According to a press statement signed by Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, such is against 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.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the warning is a sequel to alleged action of Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who was said to have driven the former governor Yahaya Bello, out of his residence to evade EFCC’s arrrest.
The statement partly read, “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.”
