EFCC operatives raided our studio, arrested presenters, says Urban Radio

The management of Urban Radio 94.5FM Enugu has alleged that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) barged into its studio to arrest presenters during a live programme.

In a statement on Tuesday, the station said the invasion occurred at 6:45pm on Monday, during the ‘Prime Time’ programme.

Urban Radio said operatives “abducted” presenters and seized communication equipment without disclosing reasons for their actions.

“Armed men identifying as the EFCC had barged into the studio and interrupted the live program ‘Prime – Time’, forcefully abducted our presenters and took away our communication equipment for reasons they vehemently refused to disclose,” the statement reads.

“Whilst we are following up with the matter, we will continue to inform our dear listeners accordingly through this medium.”

EFCC SPEAKS

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, told TheCable that the anti-graft agency did not “invade or barge” into the station.

Oyewale said the agency went to the radio station to arrest Favour Ekoh, a presenter, over alleged involvement in a ponzi scheme in which 103 Nigerians were defrauded.

The EFCC spokesperson said only Ekoh was arrested and that operatives did not take away communication equipment.

He added that the agency had on numerous occasions invited Ekoh over, but that she refused to honour these invitations.

“It is not true that our people invaded the station,” he said.

“The lady — Favour Ekoh — was truly anchoring a programme as at the time our people came in.

“But what motivated the arrest was that Favour is allegedly involved in a ponzi scheme, where 103 Nigerians have been defrauded.

“She is a suspect, who is wanted over the investigation of the ponzi scheme.

“She has been invited on several occasions but she did not come. That was why she was traced to the radio station.”