On the night of Monday, October 14, 2024, heavily armed operatives, reportedly from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stormed Urban Radio Station 94.5FM in Enugu. The agents allegedly overpowered the station’s staff, confiscated their phones, and interrupted a live broadcast anchored by popular On-Air Personality, Favour Eko. Eko was subsequently taken away by the operatives in a move that has sparked widespread outrage.
The disruption of the live broadcast, which occurred during the airing of a show, has been strongly condemned by both the public and media professionals. Many criticized the manner in which the EFCC carried out the arrest, describing the agency's actions as unprofessional and "barbaric."
Observers questioned why the EFCC did not first invite Eko to their office for questioning before taking such drastic action. Emeka Okafor, a listener, expressed his disapproval: "No matter what Favour had done, the EFCC officials should not have entered the studio to stop a live program. It’s wrong."
Another listener, Michael Igwe, labeled the incident as “embarrassing,” emphasizing the potential damage to the station's reputation and financial interests if the live show had sponsors. He called for Urban Radio to take legal action against the EFCC, describing the event as “terrible.”
Media practitioners viewed the incident as an affront to press freedom. They argued that the EFCC should have followed due process by summoning the presenter for questioning, instead of violating the sanctity of a live broadcast.
The story, which has been widely shared online, provides further details of the invasion. According to reports, the EFCC agents stormed the station, forced staff members to sit on the floor at gunpoint, seized their phones, and then proceeded to the live studio where Favour Eko was anchoring her show, “Prime Time.” She was then taken into custody by the operatives.
Some reports suggest that the arrest is connected to an online trading scheme that Eko allegedly advertised on her show. Victims of the scheme reportedly approached the EFCC after the company absconded with their money, prompting the agency's involvement.
When contacted for confirmation, senior EFCC officials expressed surprise and denied knowledge of the operation. One senior official, when reached by the press, promised to investigate the matter, but had not provided further information by the time of publication.
Calls to Urban Radio staff initially went unanswered, but a staff member later confirmed that Favour Eko had been released after intervention by the station's chairman. "Yes, EFCC officials stormed our office. They disrupted a live program. We called our chairman, and he took it up. Favour has been released. She has gone home," the staff member stated.
The incident continues to generate debate, with many questioning the legality and appropriateness of the EFCC's methods.
