Invasion of Urban Radio, an Attack on Media, Says GPAAN

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Enugu State chapter of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN) has said that the recent invasion of a radio station in the state by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Office, is an attack intended to silence the media in Nigeria.

Officers of the EFFC had on October 14, 2024, invaded Urban Radio where they allegedly arrested Favour Ekoh, host of Prime Time, a programme running at the station while she was still presenting on live radio.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday, the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the GPAAN, Ambrose Igboke, said that the actions of EFCC are “reminiscent of the fascist, despotic and dark era in Nigeria’s history where all efforts were made to intimidate, harass, bully, and silent the media.

“The EFCC has again demonstrated that though we are in a democratic dispensation, it continues to operate as though we are in an authoritarian government.”

He noted that while the EFCC, as an agency of the government, is authorized to carry out its statutory duties, this must, however, be done in accordance with laid down rules of engagement.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has dismissed reports that it invaded Urban Radio. In a statement issued by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission said that four officers of its commission went to the radio station to invite Favour Ekoh, who hosts Prime Time, a programme running at the station, for an alleged N700 million ponzi scam, but were prevented and eventually locked inside the premises.

Oyewale said that Ekoh is being investigated by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC in the alleged fraud which involves about 50 victims whom she allegedly lured into investing in a scheme ‘Life Trading’ in a company, Leverage Index Limited, where they were offered returns on investment of 10 per cent of their capitals after a period of time.