The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed its involvement in the controversial invasion of Urban Radio 94.5FM in Enugu State on Monday, October 14, 2024.
The raid was aimed at apprehending Favour Ekoh, the host of the station’s Prime Time program, who is being investigated for her alleged role in a Ponzi scheme amounting to N700 million.
According to a statement released by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, Ekoh is implicated in defrauding around 50 victims through a scheme called “Life Trading,” orchestrated by a company known as Leverage Index Limited.
The victims allege that they were lured into investing under the promise of a 10% return on their capital, only to find that the company’s office had been abruptly closed without any returns on their investments.
Oyewale detailed that the EFCC operatives, armed with a valid arrest warrant, faced resistance upon their arrival at the radio station.
Despite identifying themselves and explaining their mission to the Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi, staff members reportedly blocked the commission’s officials from executing their duties, even locking the gates of the station.
“This obstruction led the operatives to call for reinforcements, which ultimately resulted in the arrest of Owoyomi, Ekoh, and two security guards who participated in the blockade,” Oyewale said.
He emphasized that no equipment was damaged during the operation and that Ekoh was not arrested while broadcasting, ensuring that the station’s normal activities were minimally disrupted.
The EFCC expressed its high regard for the media as a crucial ally in the fight against corruption but condemned the station’s staff for obstructing their investigation.
The commission has called upon the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to scrutinize the ethical practices of Urban Radio 94.5FM in light of this incident.
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