Emmanuel lkpeama.
Following the drama that ensued at the home of the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, which truncated his planned arrest, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the agency would no longer tolerate anyone obstructing its operation across the country.
EFCC said that anyone found doing so would be treated in accordance with the law, saying, it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
In a statement released on Wednesday and made available to newsmen by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency stressed that anyone caught risk jail term.
According to the statement, “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”.
This came hours after the planned arrest of Bello from his home was truncated by the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, who stormed his predecessor’s home and whisked him away to avert arrest.
The act forced the anti-graft agency to withdraw its officials who had being laying siege at the home of the former governor, in order to arrest him.