EFCC rejects claim it asked DSS to arrest activist over host community funds

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims in an online report alleging that the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Moses Oddiri, a human rights activist and lawyer, on the orders of the commission’s chairman.

The report had claimed that DSS operatives stormed Oddiri’s residence, breaking padlocks and entering his room while his 17-year-old son and daughter were present.

In a statement on Friday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said the publication falsely suggested that Oddiri was picked up over a petition from the chairman concerning alleged diversion of funds meant for a host community.

The anti-graft agency spokesperson said the narrative was “a falsehood taken too far”.

“Oddiri’s story is a story of pursuit of self-interests against communal welfare,” the statement reads.

“The Niger Delta Host Community Trust Fund, paid into the bank accounts of two Host Community Benefit Trusts (HCBTs), as prescribed by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), is the bone of contention.

“Oddiri wanted the funds paid into his non-governmental organisation’s (NGO’s) account in flagrant violation of the PIA.

“The background to the payment of the funds is this: the EFCC chairman, incensed by the delayed payment of the fund to two host communities in Delta state, directed that diligent investigations be carried out.

“Defaulting companies were uncovered, and the results of the probe led to the payment of the funds as prescribed by the PIA and Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) guidelines.

“The funds, paid in 2024, were lodged in the bank accounts of the two HCBTs. However, since the payment was made, Oddiri has been on the offensive against the EFCC and its executive chairman, claiming that it was not paid into his NGO account.”

The EFCC spokesperson said Oddiri has since launched a campaign against the commission for refusing to divert the money to his organisation.

He said the EFCC convened stakeholder meetings in Lagos and Abuja to address the dispute, with community leaders, regulators, and oil company representatives in attendance.

In one of the meetings, the EFCC chairman was quoted as saying: “Our role is to ensure that funds designated for a particular community are not diverted elsewhere, that unauthorised individuals do not illicitly benefit, and that resources are channelled into tangible development projects such as electricity and potable water.”

‘EFCC WON’T BE STAMPEDED’

Oyewale said Oddiri’s “attempts to tarnish the reputation of the EFCC chairman” were longstanding, adding that his allegations had appeared repeatedly across social media and online platforms.

He said the commission would file a suit against the “latest malicious publication” by the online portal.

He added that leaders of the two host communities were aware of the activist’s “self-serving agenda”, noting that there were already legal actions against him from the EFCC chairman and Heritage Energy Operational Services (HEOS), alongside a petition to the DSS.

“The EFCC will not be stampeded or blackmailed into compromising extant legal frameworks for the disbursement of the funds to the two host communities,” he said.

“The media is enjoined to always balance its reporting and not allow characters like Oddiri to sway it into prejudice and blackmail.”

Oyewale also reiterated the commission’s commitment to its mandate and said it would always act in the national interest.