Oba of Benin accuses EFCC of mishandling fraud case

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The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of aiding crimes in the country.

 

The monarch made the allegations when he received the new Benin Zonal Director of EFCC, Effa Okim, in his palace in Benin, on Monday.

The monarch cited a case involving unnamed former palace officials who were left off the hook after they were arrested for fraud and handed over to the EFCC in Benin for investigation and prosecution.

He alleged that some EFCC operatives allegedly handled the case with kid gloves, which led to the release of the culprits a few years ago.

The monarch, who did not name the palace officials, however, expressed shock that the EFCC investigators allegedly swept glaring evidence of fraud against them (the palace officials) under the carpet.

While tasking the commission to fight crime without fear or favour, Oba Ewuare II added, “We want to draw your attention to one or two grey areas in your operations.

“No matter how much you try to support the EFFC from the palace, it is very difficult because they seem to listen to other parties. What I have been told is that they take instructions from the highest bidder.

“You know that I have been known for speaking the truth. I was not happy about certain things that happened with your predecessor.

“We get news from everywhere. We try to assist the EFCC. I even wrote a letter to the then-chairman who was removed from office.

“I even sent an emissary to talk to him regarding certain elements in Edo State, particularly the palace.

“How can EFCC operatives, especially, the lady that handled the case I cited earlier, behave like that? If I was asked to comment on her performance, I would score her zero. I do not know if she was doing an EFCC job or just dancing to the tunes of people who were giving her money.”

The monarch added, “At the time we were trying to assist EFCC, the report we kept getting was negative and I was not happy about it.”

He, however, said the newly-appointed chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukayode, was on the path to greatness if he continued to demonstrate fidelity in his duties.

He also pledged the palace’s support to the state government in addressing social inequality and reducing social vices.

Earlier in his address, Okim appealed to the monarch to support advocacy against financial crimes with Edo State ranking second behind Lagos State in the financial crime index in the country.

Recalling the historical ties between his state of origin, Cross River and Edo State, he solicited prayers and royal blessings to enable him to discharge his duties diligently.