The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to not tolerate any attempt by any individual or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions.
The anti-graft commission gave the warning in a Wednesday statement after the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo reportedly prevented the commission from executing a warrant of arrest granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja against former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday.
In its statement, the EFCC warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
“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,” the EFCC said in the statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale.