The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has continually displayed disparities in communicating suspects’ information to the public with different keywords over time, and observation shows how this disparity aligns with various socioeconomic backgrounds.
In certain instances, the commission employs more aggressive keyphrases to describe their activities on the suspects, such as “raids” and “parades,” when dealing with less affluent individuals, while opting for more subdued approaches, like “invitations,” for affluent suspects, including politicians and their associates.
EFCC frequently uses terms like “raids” and “parades” in cases involving individuals from less privileged backgrounds, according to keyword searches on social media.
For instance, despite banning night raids, the officers of the commission invaded Annex and Regional hotels in Isashi, Ojo, and Lagos in June 2024, allegedly broke into rooms, assaulted guests and workers, and stole ATM cards, money, and phones.
Reports revealed that the officers shot sporadically at guests, injuring innocent customers and arresting numerous individuals. The video footage shared by users on X, formerly Twitter, showed the bizarre scene.
In another instance, the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted an ‘illegal night raid’. Thirty individuals, including 14 undergraduates from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, were apprehended on suspicion of involvement in internet-related crimes.
The raid, executed in the early hours of Wednesday, February 14, 2024, targeted various residential locations within the Akure metropolis.
In contrast, high-profile individuals often receive “invitations” from the EFCC, suggesting a more respectful approach. The EFCC invited former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to discuss allegations of misappropriation of funds.
Subsequent reports indicated that the American International School in Abuja refunded $760,910.84 to the EFCC, which had been paid for the tuition of Bello’s children. Bello was not declared “wanted” until after several invitations and by the commission.
Recently, the EFCC invited Subomi Okoya and Wahab Okoya, the sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, for interrogation over the alleged abuse of the naira.
This perceived disparity has led to public outcry and allegations of bias within the EFCC. Some Nigerians alleged that the agency’s methods reflect a double standard, with less privileged individuals subjected to public humiliation while affluent suspects are treated with leniency.
Such practices have raised questions about the EFCC’s commitment to impartial justice and equal treatment under the law.
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