By Damilare Adeleye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has issued stern warning that it would no longer allowed any obstruction while carrying out legal duties.
This is as it stated that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
The anti-graft agency made this known in a statement made available on Wednesday night, saying that culprits of such obstruction risk a jail term of not less than five years.
The warning came after operatives of the EFCC were unable to arrest former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, when they laid siege to his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.
It was learnt that the ex-governor was whisked away in the convoy of the incumbent governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, who came to smuggle him out from his residence amidst heavy security.
Meanwhile, EFCC said, “Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.
“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions.