The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided Urban Radio 94.5 FM Enugu at about 6:48 p.m. on Monday, arresting presenter Favour Ekoh.
This operation has sparked controversy and allegations of obstruction, leading the EFCC to call on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to investigate the incident.
According to the EFCC, Ms. Ekoh is being investigated by the Enugu Zonal Directorate in connection with an alleged N700 million Ponzi scheme involving about 50 victims.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated, “Ekoh had to be trailed to the station for an arrest because the nature of the fraudulent dealings necessitated a sting operation that would foreclose her escape or going underground.”
Mr. Oyewale detailed the raid, explaining that four EFCC operatives arrived at the station with a warrant for Ms. Ekoh’s arrest.
“We identified ourselves and informed the Managing Director of the Station, Bamikole Owoyomi, about our mission,” he said.
However, the situation escalated when “a staff member called the chairman of the radio station, who ordered the gate to be locked, effectively holding the EFCC officers hostage”.
“Faced with such hostility, they called for a rescue team which eventually arrested Mr. Owoyomi, Ms. Ekoh, and the two security guards that locked them within the premises of the station,” Mr. Oyewale narrated.
The station’s management, however, claims that Ms. Ekoh was arrested during a live programme and that the EFCC operatives carted away some broadcast equipment during the operation.
In response, Mr. Oyewale refuted these allegations, stating, “Ekoh was not arrested during a live programme, and no equipment was tampered with during the operation.”
The EFCC spokesperson expressed disappointment over the alleged obstruction by Urban Radio officials, calling on the International Press Institute and the NUJ to investigate the station’s conduct “in the light of integrity and ethical professional practice.”
The N700 million Ponzi scheme, known as “Life Trading,” was allegedly run by a company called Leverage Index Limited. Victims claimed that Ms. Ekoh lured them into investing with promises of a 10 percent return on investment, only for the company to close its office without paying them.
“Ekoh allegedly invited the victims into the business, and she remained the only link the victims could hold,” Mr. Oyewale explained.
The EFCC reported that Ms. Ekoh was released after writing a statement at their office in Enugu.
Mr. Owoyomi and the two security guards, initially arrested for obstruction of justice, were also released after making their statements.
