The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that it is a criminal offence to obstruct its officers from performing their lawful operations.

Handing out the warning in a press statement on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency’s head, media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, threatened to deal with thugs recruited by politicians to carry out the obstruction.

This warning comes just hours after security operatives, alongside Kogi Governor, Usman Ododo, smuggled his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, out of his Abuja residence, thereby obstructing the attempt by the EFCC to arrest Mr Bello, after laying siege there for hours.

Mr Oyewale said, “Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

‘On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness,” it added.

He said the Commission has now vowed to no more tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation, warning that such move will be met with appropriate punitive action.