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EFCC Denies Raid On Standard Chartered Bank

September 14, 2018

“The raid by operatives purportedly wearing the jackets of the Commission might have been the handiwork of errant officers who acted without authorisation," EFCC said.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied its culpability in the Friday raid of the headquarters of Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos.

Officials of the commission were said to have raided the bank, an action the bank described as uncalled for.

The bank was one of four banks fined by the Central Bank of Nigeria on allegations of issuing irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIIs).

However, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesman said the commission was unaware of the raid.

A statement by the EFCC read: “The raid by operatives purportedly wearing the jackets of the Commission might have been the handiwork of errant officers who acted without authorisation.

“The action is in flagrant violation of the standard operation procedures of the Commission as it is not the style of the EFCC to openly raid the offices of banks and other financial institutions.

“Officials of such institutions who are wanted by the commission, are usually invited for questioning after discreet investigation. Over the years, banks have been cooperative in releasing their officers to the Commission for questioning.

“The Commission will investigate the circumstances leading to this illegal raid by errant officers and those found culpable would be subjected to the internal disciplinary mechanism of the Commission.

“EFCC again reassures Nigerians that it is an agency which adheres strictly to the rule of law and will, as much as possible, avoid draconian measures in its fight against corruption.”