IPC Calls for Inquiry into EFCC’s Raid on Enugu Radio Station

Mayowa DurosinmiOctober 15, 20241 Mins read224

IPC Calls for Inquiry into EFCCs Raid on Enugu Radio Station

The International Press Centre (IPC) has called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who raided Urban Radio Station (94.5FM) in Enugu on Monday evening of October 14, 2024.

Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, disclosed this in a statement describing the actions of EFCC operatives as a “despicable assault on the media and a blatant abuse of power.”

The recent spate of attacks on journalists suggests that the EFCC and other security agencies have resorted to extra-judicial, jungle tactics to address whatever grievances they may have,” the statement reads partly.

Prior to IPC’s call for inquiry against the Commission, around 1:00 AM on Tuesday, Urban Radio 94.5FM, a radio station in Enugu State, had issued a press statement alerting the public of an alleged invasion and disruption of its “Prime-Time” live program on Monday evening by operatives of the EFCC, including forceful abduction of its hosts and communication equipment.

West Africa Weekly put forward calls to the Commission. All five calls were not attended to, including one dropped abruptly.

Hours later on Tuesday, the EFCC released a statement detailing their account of the incident, citing the Commission had invited one Favour Ekoh, the host of the Prime Time program, of alleged involvement in luring about 50 victims to a N700 million Ponzi scheme with Leverage Index Limited.

Contrary to EFCC’s statement, a source told FIJ that the Commission did not provide a formal invitation but had received a petition against the radio presenter Ekoh, who anchored a programme featuring an advert from a forex company.

Given the incident, however, the IPC had called on EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoye to launch a thorough investigation into the invasion and to ensure that the officers involved are prosecuted and held accountable for their unprofessional conduct.