- The EFCC arrested Urban Radio host Favour Ekoh for her alleged involvement in a N700 million Ponzi scheme, disrupting a live broadcast
- During the raid, EFCC officers were initially locked inside the station by staff, leading to additional arrests for obstructing justice
On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided Urban Radio 94.5FM in Enugu and arrested radio host Favour Ekoh. She is allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme involving N700 million.
According to Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s head of media and publicity, Ekoh reportedly convinced investors to join a “Life Trading” scheme operated by Leverage Index Limited.
The scheme promised a 10 percent return on investment within a specific time frame. The case involves around fifty victims, raising concerns about media professionals’ trustworthiness.
Oyewale explained that EFCC officers, armed with an arrest warrant, went to the station and informed the Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi, of their mission. However, in a surprising turn, a staff member locked the station’s gate on orders from the station’s chairman, trapping the EFCC officers inside.
In response, the EFCC called for backup, which led to the arrest of Owoyomi, Ekoh, and two security guards who had locked the gates.
Ekoh had been tracked to the radio station because her involvement in the fraudulent scheme required a carefully planned operation to prevent her escape.
The EFCC clarified that Ekoh was not arrested during her radio broadcast, and no station equipment was damaged. After making a statement at the EFCC’s Enugu office, she was released.
Owoyomi and the security guards were arrested for obstructing justice and released after providing statements.