The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is abetting crimes in the country.
The King made the remarks as he received the new Benin Zonal Director of the EFCC, Effa Okim in his Palace in Benin on Monday.
He referred to a case involving unnamed former palace officials who were handed over to the Commission for prosecution after they were arrested for fraud.
He said he was left dismayed after the EFCC ignored clear evidence against the culprits and let them walk free without charging them.
While urging the anti-graft to live up to its responsibilities, he lamented that “No matter how much you try to support the EFCC from the palace, it is very difficult because they seem to listen to other parties. What I have been told is that they take instructions from the highest bidder.
“You know that I have been known for speaking the truth. I was not happy about certain things that happened with your predecessor. We get news from everywhere. We try to assist the EFCC. I even wrote a letter to the then-chairman who was removed from office”.
“At the time we were trying to assist EFCC, the report we kept getting was negative and I was not happy about it,” Oba Ewuare II added.
However, the Oba of Benin promised that the palace would continue to support the Commission and the state in addressing social inequality and reducing social vices.