The Economic and Financial Criminal Commission (EFCC) has denied arresting a journalist with Urban Radio 94.5FM Enugu, Favour Ekoh, on air.
The management of the radio station had accused the EFCC operatives of storming its studio. during a live programme to arrest the presenters.
But in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, alleged that Ekoh was involved in a N700 million ponzi scheme.
He said the presenter was not arrested during a live programme.
The spokesman added that the EFCC operatives went to the station with an arrest warrant and informed the Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi, of their mission.
Oyewale said: “However, in a rather strange twist, a staff of the station called the chairman of the radio station ordered that the gate of the building be locked in and out, thereby holding the officers hostage.
“Faced with such hostility, they called for a rescue team which eventually arrested Omoyomi, Ekoh and the two security guards who locked them within the premises of the Station.
“Ekoh had to be trailed to the station for arrest because the nature of the fraudulent dealings necessitated a sting operation that would foreclose her escape or go underground.
“She was neither arrested while on air nor any disruption of the lawful activities of the radio station took place.
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“No equipment of the Station was tampered with and she has since been released after being allowed to make a Statement at the Enugu office.
“Owoyomi and the two security guards were arrested for obstruction of justice as they initially prevented the operatives from carrying out their official duties. They also made statements to that effect and have since been released.
” The suspect allegedly lured the victims into investing in a scheme ‘where they were offered returns on investment of 10 percent of their capital after a period of time.
“The victims alleged that after investing their money into the company located at No. 1 Colliery Street, Okpara Avenue, Enugu State, the company closed its office with no return on investment or principal returned to the victims.
“Ekoh allegedly invited the victims into the business and she remained the only link the victims could hold.”
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