The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended its operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos, following media reports raising questions about due process and the conduct of raids targeting suspected internet fraudsters.
The commission maintained that its operatives acted professionally during the early-morning operation on Monday, October 26, insisting that there was no harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said operatives of its Lagos Directorate 1 carried out the operation at about 5am to apprehend suspected cybercrime fraudsters accused of obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrency and international money transfers while impersonating different individuals.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects and the recovery of five exotic cars, according to the commission.
The EFCC’s defence comes amid published commentary questioning aspects of the Orchid Road raid, including adherence to due process and the justification for actions taken against people suspected of financial crimes.
While such concerns do not, by themselves, establish that the operation was unlawful, they have brought the conduct of the raid into focus alongside the commission’s stated objective of tackling cybercrime.
Addressing one aspect of the operation, the EFCC disclosed that a young woman was held after allegedly making telephone calls to alert the suspects.
Her phone was confiscated temporarily but later returned to her, the commission said.
The agency maintained that its operatives had conducted diligent surveillance and reconnaissance before executing the operation.
Following preliminary investigations, 19 of the 21 arrested suspects were indicted, while the remaining two were released.
The commission said those indicted would be arraigned in court immediately.
The EFCC urged Nigerians to support its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes, arguing that cybercrime activities damage the country’s reputation.
It also declared that it remained open to constructive engagement but warned against what it described as attempts by blackmailers and alarmists to undermine its mandate.
