ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the existence of CCTV footage documenting the recent raid on a "Yahoo Boys" party in Akure, Ondo State. EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale disclosed this during an interview with TVC, which was monitored by Vanguard in Abuja on Monday. He refuted allegations of brutality and injury during the operation.
Oyewale explained that the footage captures the operatives' arrival at the party, the arrest of 127 suspects, and the collection of evidence without any incidents of brutality or property damage.
He clarified that the raid was based on intelligence targeting suspected fraudsters, countering reports of indiscriminate arrests and harassment.
Oyewale stated, "The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that the Commission will no longer conduct broad raids, but no law enforcement agency can forgo sting operations entirely. Our operatives conducted the raid in the early hours, targeting a 'Yahoo Party' where all 127 suspects were present."
He further mentioned, "Most of the videos circulating online are fake and not from the actual scene. We will conduct a forensic analysis to verify their authenticity. No one was brutalized or wounded; individuals were only asked to submit their phones. Most of the girls mentioned are currently at our Ibadan office to reclaim their phones."
Oyewale also revealed that the manager of one of the clubs, who is a suspect, instructed his ICT staff to remove the CCTV, which was then handed over to EFCC operatives. "The EFCC is in possession of the footage from Saturday night, as we collected the CCTV system," he added.
The EFCC has faced criticism over its handling of the raid, with accusations of heavy-handedness and selective prosecution in its anti-corruption efforts. In response, the agency reiterated its intention to arrest former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, wanted for months over corruption allegations.
Bello has been accused of embezzlement and financial crimes, and the EFCC remains committed to bringing him to justice. Oyewale stated, "The issue of former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, is public knowledge. We are in court against him. The next court appearance is June 13, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja."
Refuting claims of selective prosecution, Oyewale concluded, "It is wrong to suggest that the EFCC engages in selective prosecution. Our operations are broad-based, fully integrated, professional, and non-selective."
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