The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II
By Our Reporter
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, has alleged that some investigators with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swept a corruption case involving the palace under the carpet.
The monarch made the allegations when he received the new Benin Zonal Director of EFCC, Effa Okim in his Palace in Benin on Monday.
The monarch cited a case involving unnamed former palace officials who were left off the hook after they were arrested for fraud and handed over to EFCC in Benin for investigation and prosecution.
He added that some EFCC operatives allegedly handled the case with kid gloves, which led to the release of the culprits a few years ago.
The revered Oba expressed shock that the EFCC investigators allegedly swept glaring evidence of fraud against them (the palace officials) under the carpet.
He said ”We want to draw your attention to one or two grey areas in your operations”.
“No matter how much you try to support the EFFC from the palace, It is very difficult because they seem to listen to other parties. What I have been told is that they take instructions from the highest bidder.
“You know that I have been known for speaking the truth. I was not happy about certain things that happened with your predecessor.
“We get news from everywhere. We try to assist the EFCC. I even wrote a letter to the then-chairman who was removed from office.
“I even sent an emissary to talk to him regarding certain elements in Edo State, particularly the palace.
“How can EFCC operatives, especially, the lady who handled the case I cited earlier behave like that? If I was asked to comment on her performance, I would score her zero. I do not know if she was doing an EFCC job or just dancing to the tunes of people who were giving her money.
“At the time we were trying to assist EFCC, the report we kept getting was negative and I was not happy about it”.
Oba Ewuare II extolled the virtue of the newly appointed Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukayode, for starting on a good note. He said “He is on the path to greatness if he continues to demonstrate fidelity in his duties”
