The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arraignment of its National Commandant, Dr. Dickson Akoh, and Director of Finance, Mrs. Omolola Aminat Ahmed, describing the action as unlawful, malicious and an abuse of prosecutorial powers in a purely civil contract dispute.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by its Media Consultant, Comrade Peterhot Apeh, the organisation accused the anti-graft agency of acting in bad faith by arraigning its top officials before an FCT High Court on December 11 over a contractual transaction it said had already been resolved through lawful civil processes.
PCN said the dispute arose from Contract No. 101/PCN50, awarded on July 12, 2024, to Jethel Nigeria Global Resources Limited for the production of badges of ranks, Nigerian/service badges, beret badges and related kits. According to the Corps, the contract was freely accepted in writing on the same day by Jethel’s Managing Director, Mr. Okocha Jones Gido.
The organisation explained that challenges in settling the contract sum were caused by the sealing of its National Secretariat in Abuja by the Police, an action it said had crippled its operations and prevented the sale of badges to members nationwide.
It recalled that Jethel Limited petitioned the Police on March 6, 2025, prompting an invitation to the National Commandant by the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). After investigations and engagement with both parties, the Police reportedly concluded that the matter was a simple business transaction, fully documented, and not criminal in nature.
PCN said the Police subsequently facilitated a written agreement between the parties for short-term payment, noting that in compliance with the agreement, it paid N20 million as part payment on December 9, 2025.
The Corps, however, expressed regret that despite the resolution at the Police Headquarters, Jethel allegedly forwarded a similar petition to the EFCC on March 10, 2025, four days after the Police intervention, in what it described as a flagrant breach of the agreement.
According to PCN, rather than respecting the civil resolution, the EFCC allegedly took sides with the contractor, subjecting its officials to harassment and intimidation. It specifically accused the Commission of unlawfully arresting and detaining its Director of Finance when she visited the EFCC office in Abuja on December 9 to present evidence of the N20 million payment.
The organisation further alleged that its National Commandant was also arrested and detained when he went to the EFCC office to secure the release of the detained officer.
Describing the EFCC’s actions as unprofessional and oppressive, PCN accused the agency of acting as a debt recovery agent for a private contractor and warned against the growing practice of criminalising simple business transactions.
The Corps called on the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to intervene and rein in operatives involved in the matter, stressing that court orders restraining the Commission had allegedly been ignored.
PCN noted that an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice J.E. Obanor had on August 11, 2025 ordered the EFCC to maintain the status quo in the contract dispute, following a motion filed by Mrs. Ahmed seeking protection from harassment and arrest.
It also cited another order by an Abuja High Court, delivered by Justice Edward Okpe on April 7, 2025, restraining Jethel Limited from harassing or taking adverse steps against Dr. Akoh over the same dispute.
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The Peace Corps insisted that the arraignment of its officials was borne out of malice, allegedly due to their refusal to compromise the matter, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of all charges against them.
It urged the EFCC to respect the rule of law and court orders, warning that continued prosecution would amount to an unlawful exercise of power and a dangerous precedent in the handling of civil contract disputes.
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