The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly raided Urban 94.5FM, a popular radio station in Enugu State, during a live program on Monday evening. The EFCC detained presenter Favour Ekoh and seized equipment estimated to be worth millions of Naira, Nigeria’s local currency.
The commission’s operatives stormed the station on Monday evening, halting a live broadcast and allegedly intimidating staff.
The reason behind the arrest remains unclear, but it’s reportedly linked to an online trading scheme advertised by Ekoh, with the company allegedly absconding with people’s money.
However, the manner of the arrest has been widely condemned as “barbaric” and a stark reminder of the dangers to press freedom and the rule of law in this country.
Media practitioners and the public have criticized the EFCC’s actions, questioning why they didn’t invite Ekoh for questioning instead of disrupting a live program. “No matter what Favour had done, the EFCC officials were not supposed to enter the studio to stop a live program. It is wrong,” said one commentator.
The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
In a similar incident in 2021, the EFCC was criticized for breaking into people’s homes, including BBNaija’s Dorathy Bachor, without warrants or proper identification. There are several accusations of a Gestapo style to EFCC’s investigative operations.
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