A senior official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that the chairman of Aulic Nigeria Limited, the concessionaire of Lagos International trade fair complex, Badagry Expressway, Prof Nick Ezeh, is not in its custody and warned mischief makers to desist from character assassination.
The official who pleaded anonymity said any further use of the Commission’s name in spreading falsehood will be treated as a crime and dealt accordingly.
Though calls and sms sent to the agency’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwajare on Monday were not responded to, the top official explained that EFCC has an established model of operation which does not include unnecessary arrest or involvement without due profile and investigations.
One Mr. Bebe Onwuatuanya, described as an executive member of Balogun Business Association (BBA) and a close associate of Chief Okey Ezeibe both in BBA, Lagos International trade fair complex, had been circulating an sms as follows (unedited);
“Good evening sir,
“Good news, Prof Nick Eze in EFCC custody and his concession cancelled by NCP.
“There is urgent need for us to prepare for us to take over the concession or sleep and allow a Yoruba firm take over. You can expect another level war and fight.
“A stitch in time saves nine.
“Thanks, Bede.
In a telephone interview Monday night, Prof Nick Ezeh made it clear that he is walking a free man on the street and has no business with any security agency.
According to him, “Those spreading the falsehood are enemies of progress and core tribalists who are suffering from unprecedented level of illiteracy”.
He therefore advised them to desist from spreading falsehood capable of tarnishing the image of respected law enforcement agencies like the EFCC.