Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has met with the owners of some clubhouses in Akure following the arrests carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this in a statement, saying his meeting with the club owners was aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in Ondo state.
“I had a meeting with club owners at the Government House, Alagbaka Akure, this evening (Sunday) regarding the unfortunate disruption of legitimate business activities of some clubhouses in Akure by the operatives of the EFCC,” he wrote on X.
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“It leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but we cannot stop credible intelligence efforts to rid our society of scams and scammers.
“It must be noted that legitimate business owners must be encouraged at all times.”
Aiyedatiwa also sympathised with entrepreneurs who have suffered one loss or another, urging them to keep faith, as every lost revenue will be retrieved without delay.
He said he is hopeful that his administration will never leave anyone doing legitimate business stranded or oppressed by any institution of the Ondo state government.
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Aiyedatiwa, however, added that as a government, they will never tolerate nefarious activities inimical to the growth and development of the society.
“We are not ready to condone actions that will pose a security threat to the state or nation,” the governor stated.
“I therefore appeal to those who have a case to answer to clear themselves with the operatives of the EFCC, while those who are innocent should not be made to endure further undue pain.”
Meanwhile, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyedele in a statement said the facts regarding the arrest of suspected internet fraudsters over the weekend in Akure were being distorted.
“The operatives executed a classical sting operation at two clubs simultaneously in Akure based on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of the suspected fraudsters,” Oyewale said.
“The operation, in line with the established ground norm for such engagement, was devoid of any incident as the Operatives conducted themselves professionally.”
Oyewale stated that it was shocking to be confronted with narratives particularly from the social media about brutalisation, including a trending video of two ladies showing bodies lacerated by whips.
He added that the commission wants the public to discountenance this video as it may have been stage-managed to achieve motives that are unclear.
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The spokesman said the commission will subject this video to forensic analysis to establish its falsehood and prepare a case against purveyors of this distasteful stunt.
“The commission wishes to state that no suspect was assaulted, brutalised or subjected to any dehumanising treatment during the Saturday operation,” he said.
“It is also false that tear gas was fired at the crime scene. Those familiar with the commission’s operations know that EFCC personnel do not use tear gas during sting operation.”
Oyewale said the officers that carried out the arrests neither came to the scene of crime with canister of tear gas nor whips, to inflict bodily injuries on suspects.
