The Peace Corps of Nigeria, PCN, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of acting in bad faith in the arraignment of its National Commandant, Dr Dickson Akoh, and the Director of Finance, Mrs Omolola Aminat Ahmed, at the FCT High Court on December 11.
The Corps said that the arraignment of its two bosses on contractual transaction was unlawful, illegal and uncalled for.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja by its Media Consultant, Comrade Peterhot Apeh, Peace Corps said it was wrong of the EFCC to have criminalized a simple civil contract transaction between Peace Corps of Nigeria and Jethel Nigeria Global Resources Limited.
PCN, in the statement, recalled that contract No: 101/PCN50 for the production of badges of ranks, Nigerian/Service Badges, beret badges and related kits was freely awarded to Jethel Nigeria Limited on July 12, 2024 and freely accepted by the company on the same day in writing by its Managing Director, Okocha Jones Gido.
The Corps said that challenges arose in the payment of the contract sum when the police unlawfully sealed off its national secretariat in Abuja which, till date, has crippled the activities of the organization .
Specifically, Peace Corps said that it was unable to effect full payment for the contract sum due to the inability to sell the badges to its members across the country as a result of the sealing of its secretariat.
The organization recalled that Jethel Limited had on March 6, 2025 petitioned the police on the matter and Police in a letter with No; 3000/IGP-SEC/MU/ABJ/T.2/Vol.115 of March 6, 2025 invited the national commandant in respect of the matter.
After taking arguments from the two parties, the Office of the Inspector General of Police practically resolved the matter with a conclusion after investigation that the issue in dispute was a simple business transaction fully documented by the two parties.
The police however committed the Peace Corps of Nigeria and Jethel Limited to an agreement by the two parties in writing to facilitate short term payment.
Peace Corps noted with happiness that in compliance with police facilitated agreement, it on December 9, 2025 made the first part payment of N20 million to keep faith with the agreement.
PCN however noted with regret that four days after the office of IGP resolved the matter specifically, March 10, 2025, Jethel still took similar petition to EFCC in flagrant breach of the agreement reached at the Police Headquarters.
It alleged that rather than following the lawful and civil resolution adopted at the Police Headquarters, EFCC took side with Jethel Limited with unnecessary harassment and intimidation of the two Peace Corps chiefs in simple civil contract matter.
The organization noted that when its Director of Finance on December 9 went to its Abuja office to present the evidence of N20 million part payment for the contract sum, only for the EFCC, rather than appreciating the payment, “unlawfully arrested and detained the lady” .
Peace Corps also expressed sadness that the same EFCC arrested and detained its national commandant when he went to the Commission’s office to effect the release of the detained officer.
While faulting the EFCC for acting as debt recovery agency for the contractor, Peace Corps warned the anti-corruption agency to stop the impunity of criminalising simple business transactions .
The organization called on EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, who by training, is a lawyer, to wade into the unlawful action of its operatives, especially those involved in the instant matter, by calling them to order .
PCN particularly noted with deep concerns that the arraignment of its national commandant and director of finance was borne out of malice because of their refusal to cooperate with operatives to compromise the matter.
The Peace Corps urged the EFCC boss to always obey and respect court orders in the discharge of it functions, adding that an Abuja High Court presided by Justice J.E Obanor had on August 11, 2025, ordered the Commission to maintain status-quo in respect of the contract dispute between Peace Corps of Nigeria and Jethel Limited .
The order of the court followed a motion filed against EFCC by Peace Corps Director of Finance, Omolola Ahmed, in which she prayed the court to stop the Commission from harassing, intimidating, arresting or detaining her in respect of the contract.
The PCN also noted that another Abuja High Court through Justice Edward Okpe had on April 7, 2025, restrained Jethel Limited from further harassing, arresting or taking any adverse steps against Akoh in respect of the contract dispute.
Peace Corps therefore demanded that the charges against its two chiefs be immediately terminated in court so that the EFCC will not be seen as acting unlawfully as a debt recovery agency for anybody or organization.
