The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided Urban 94.5FM in Enugu, Nigeria, halting a live broadcast and detaining presenters, including Favour Ekoh. The raid raised serious concerns about press freedom, as the station’s management reported no official explanation for the incident or the seizure of equipment.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided Urban 94.5FM, a prominent radio station in Enugu State, halting a live broadcast and detaining several presenters. The raid occurred around 6 PM on Monday, catching the station’s staff off guard. Broadcaster Favour Ekoh was forcibly removed from the air, creating chaos and raising alarms about press freedom in Nigeria.
Following the incident, the management of Urban 94.5FM expressed shock and dismay, revealing they had received no official explanation from the EFCC regarding the motives behind the raid or the subsequent detention of their staff. The EFCC operatives also seized equipment valued at millions, further compounding the station's distress.
Despite attempts to get a comment, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, has not responded to inquiries about the incident. This silence from the commission has intensified concerns about the implications for media freedom and the role of law enforcement in Nigeria. The lack of transparency raises questions about the protection of journalists and the operational autonomy of media outlets in the country. As this story unfolds, it remains to be seen how the EFCC will address these serious concerns regarding press freedom.
