The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has ordered the arrest of two commission officers allegedly involved in the manhandling of a female staff member at Regional Hotel in Ojo, Lagos.
In a video trending online, the EFCC officials, dressed in civilian clothing, were seen barging into one of the hotel’s rooms. An unidentified woman, reportedly an employee of the hotel, was attempting to open the door from inside when the officers forcefully pushed it open. One of the officers was captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) slapping the woman before ordering her out of the room.
The incident occurred during an early morning sting operation, which led to the arrest of several suspects who are currently being profiled. In a statement, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the incident and outlined the commission’s response.
“The EFCC’s boss has also ordered detailed investigations of the operation carried out at the hotel and assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against any of the officers found to be culpable,” the statement read.
Mr. Olukoyede expressed his commitment to upholding the law and maintaining professionalism within the EFCC. “Olukoyede assures the general public that the EFCC would continue to ply its job professionally and with profound respect for the rule of law,” the statement concluded.
This incident has sparked discussions on the need for law enforcement agencies to operate within the bounds of the law and respect the rights of individuals, even during operations.
Human rights advocates and members of the public have praised the EFCC’s decision to investigate and potentially discipline the officers involved. They have called for thorough training and strict oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
