The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of defying subsisting court orders and criminalising a purely civil business transaction in the arraignment of its National Commandant, Dr. Dickson Akoh, and Director of Finance, Mrs Omolola Aminat Ahmed.
Akoh and Ahmed were on Thursday arraigned before Justice H.B. Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of N60 million allegedly meant for the supply of official badges.
But the Peace Corps, in a strongly worded statement issued on Friday and signed by Patriot Apeh Peterhot, condemned the EFCC’s action as “unlawful, malicious and carried out in bad faith,” insisting the contract dispute had long been settled by the police and protected by two separate court orders.
PCN said it was alarming that the commission had turned itself into a debt collection outfit despite documented evidence showing that the matter arose from Contract No. 101/PCN50, awarded on July 12, 2024, to Jethel Nigeria Global Resources Limited for the production of badges and related kits.
The organisation stressed that it had already commenced repayment under a police-supervised agreement after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ruled that the issue was purely commercial.
“Jethel freely accepted the contract, and when challenges emerged due to the unlawful sealing of our headquarters by the police, which crippled our ability to sell the badges, the police intervened, investigated and ruled that it was a civil transaction. EFCC had no business interfering,” the statement read.
PCN revealed that it paid N20 million on December 9, 2025, as the first instalment agreed upon at the police headquarters. But instead of acknowledging the payment, EFCC allegedly detained its Finance Director when she presented evidence of the transaction at the commission’s Abuja office.
Commandant Arrested While Seeking Colleague’s Released
The Corps further alleged that its Commandant, Dr Akoh, was arrested when he visited the EFCC’s office to secure Ahmed’s release.
Describing the actions as “impunity taken too far,” PCN accused the commission of ignoring two valid court orders restraining its operatives and Jethel Limited from further harassment or arrests relating to the contract.
One of the orders was issued on August 11, 2025, by Justice J.E. Obanor, directing the EFCC to maintain the status quo. Another, by Justice Edward Okpe on April 7, 2025, barred Jethel from taking adverse actions against Akoh.
The organisation urged EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to investigate the conduct of the operatives involved, alleging that the arraignment was instigated out of malice after its officials refused to “compromise the matter.”
PCN insisted that the charges against its Commandant and Finance Director be withdrawn immediately in obedience to the standing court directives.
While calling on its members nationwide to remain calm but vigilant, the Corps said it was committed to pursuing justice through lawful means.
“We keep faith in the Nigerian system,” the statement concluded.
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