The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is empowered in execution of their statutory duties as provided in s. 6 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Act, to invite anybody (anybody at all, despite the person’s status or affluence in the society) who complain or petition has been lodged against or anybody who after their due diligent investigation, has some questions to answer in any of their offices.
When you are invited by the men of the EFCC to the commission, look for the nearest office in your city and report as failure to show up when you are invited with reasonable explanation(s) will automatically mean that you are guilty of whatever petition had been lodged against you and you are on the run and this will make warrant of arrest to be issued against you; this will give them right to track you wherever you are and arrest you wherever and whenever you are found.
Whenever you get a call and the caller claims to be an agent of the EFCC, don’t hesitate to ask for the caller these questions:
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- His/ her name
- The division he/she is calling from
- Also ask for the copy (soft copy) of his official ID to be sent to your WhatsApp or email to confirm he is really who he claims to be and
- a copy of the petition that has been lodged against you to be sent to you on WhatsApp or email too.
An agent of the EFCC will totally comply and get you what you asked for to prove his identity and to prove you are dealing with the right person.
When you have confirmed the identity of the caller and the petition you are invited to defend yourself against and everything checks out; DO NOT FORGET TO GET A LAWYER. Law enforcement agencies have a history for intimidating and harassing their accused persons especially when they are not with their lawyers. Go with your lawyer to the commission.
You should also know that you have the right to reschedule and honor their invitation whenever that is more convenient for you. So far as you are invited; it should be based on your convenience but do not fail to show up the day you rescheduled and promised to go unless with stringent explanations.
Finally, when going to honor EFCC invitation, as you are going with your lawyer, also go with at least two sureties or have them on standby. The need for the sureties is, in case you are arrested or detained when you report to the commission, the sureties will stand for your bail. Often than not, EFCC diplomatic invitations always turn out to be the arrest of the accused and his immediate detention till he meets some bail requirements for him to be granted bail.
Most important requirement is to consult a lawyer whenever you are caught in the EFCC web, the agency is very strict and mean.