Following the reported incident of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives invading Urban Radio 94.5 FM in Enugu state, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has apologised to the people of Enugu and the members of the public listening to the radio.

In a statement titled “INCURSION INTO URBAN RADIO 94.5FM”, issued by the NBC Director of Public Affairs, Susan Obi, on Monday, the commission expressed its dissatisfaction with the EFCC’s approach to its operation on the said day.

On October 14, 2024, around 6:35 pm, operatives of EFCC stormed the premises of the Urban FM in Enugu to arrest one of its presenters, Favour Ekoh. According to the management of the radio station, the anti-graft agency halted an ongoing live programme. It forcefully abducted their presenters and took away their communications equipment for an undisclosed reason.

This development sparked different reactions from media bodies and a coalition of some Civil Society Organisation who condemned the actions and blamed the antigraft agency for operating in a military-like manner and unprofessionally.

In its press release, the International Press Centre also joined other organisations in denouncing the invasion and urging Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, the chairman of the EFCC, to investigate the matter and make sure the officers involved faced consequences for their unprofessional behaviour.

However, in a statement, the EFCC stated that its operatives were obstructed from carrying out the arrest of Ms Ekoh despite going to the radio station with a warrant of arrest. Due to that, they were forced to call the rescue team, which later executed the mission.

In its statement yesterday, NBC disregarded the EFCC’s justification and condemned the method used to make the arrest, characterising the operation as a violation of broadcasting ethics, particularly when it came to live broadcasts.

NBC also apologised to the members of the public and urged the public to be law-abiding, while the law took its course, urging the media professionals to maintain ethical standards while discharging their responsibilities.

The statement fully reads “The National Broadcasting Commission received with dismay the invasion of Urban Radio 94.5 FM, Enugu, on Monday, October 14th, 2024, by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) during a live Radio show, titled, PRIME TIME.

“The incursion, which was purportedly to arrest the programme’s presenter, Favour Ekoh, is viewed as a violation of the professional ethics of Broadcasting especially on a live Broadcast.

“The approach for which the arrest was carried out is improper. This action is regrettable, considering the impact of the broadcast media on the Society.

“While the NBC appreciates the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in sanitising the country of financial crimes, NBC differs with the manner of approach deployed by the anti-graft agency which could have led to public disorder, disturbance, aggravate mass panic and hysteria.

“The NBC, hereby, expresses heartfelt apologies to the listening public, the people of Enugu State, and the entire Broadcast Industry for the incident.

“NBC implores the general public, at this point, to be law-abiding, while the law takes its course. Media professionals are, also, enjoined to continue upholding ethical standards, while discharging their responsibility.

“The NBC, hereby, expresses heartfelt apologies to the listening public, the people of Enugu State, and the entire Broadcast Industry for the incident.

“NBC implores the general public, at this point, to be law-abiding, while the law takes its course. Media professionals are, also, enjoined to continue upholding ethical standards, while discharging their responsibility”