Why We Raided Enugu Radio Station – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided an official explanation for its raid on Urban 94.5FM in Enugu, which occurred on Monday, October 14, 2024. In a press statement, the anti-graft agency clarified that the operation was aimed at arresting Favour Ekoh, a presenter at the station, who is under investigation for her alleged involvement in a N700 million Ponzi scheme.

According to the EFCC, Ekoh, the host of the program Prime Time, is linked to a fraudulent scheme involving “Life Trading,” a business operated by Leverage Index Limited. The company allegedly swindled about 50 victims by promising a 10% return on investment but failed to return either the capital or profits. Ekoh is accused of luring the victims into the scheme, acting as their primary point of contact after the company ceased operations.

EFCC operatives, armed with a warrant of arrest, arrived at the station to apprehend Ekoh. They identified themselves and informed the station’s Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi, of their mission. However, the situation escalated when a staff member contacted the station’s chairman, who reportedly ordered the gates to be locked, effectively trapping the EFCC officers inside the building. The operatives subsequently called for backup, which led to the arrest of Owoyomi, Ekoh, and two security guards who had blocked their exit.

The EFCC clarified that Ekoh’s arrest was a planned sting operation due to the nature of the financial fraud. They denied disrupting the station’s broadcast or tampering with its equipment, stating that Ekoh was not arrested while on air. The presenter was released after making a statement at the EFCC’s Enugu office, while Owoyomi and the security guards were arrested for obstructing justice but have since been released.

In its statement, the EFCC expressed respect for the media’s role as the “fourth estate of the realm” but condemned the actions of the radio station’s staff in preventing its officers from carrying out their duties. The Commission also called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI) to investigate the conduct of Urban Radio in relation to ethical journalism practices.

The EFCC emphasized that the investigation into Ekoh’s involvement in the Ponzi scheme will continue.