By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described the invasion of the Lagos premises of Standard Chartered Bank on September 14, 2018 as illegal, promising to get to the root of the matter.
A statement issued by anti-corruption agency said the raid was never authorised by the commission, noting that it would punish any of its officials involved in the illegality.
“The raid by operatives purportedly wearing the jackets of the commission might have been the handiwork of errant officers who acted without authorization.
“The action is in flagrant violation of the standard operation procedures of the commission as it is not the style of the EFCC to openly raid the offices of banks and other financial institutions.
“Officials of such institutions who are wanted by the commission, are usually invited for questioning after discreet investigation. Over the years, banks have been cooperative in releasing their officers to the commission for questioning,” the statement said.
It further disclosed that, “The commission will investigate the circumstances leading to this illegal raid by errant officers and those found culpable would be subjected to the internal disciplinary mechanism of the commission.”
In the statement, EFCC reassured “Nigerians that it is an agency which adheres strictly to the rule of law and will, as much as possible, avoid draconian measures in its fight against corruption.”
