By Esther Onyegbula
LAGOS — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has confirmed the arrest of more than 20 suspects during an operation at a short-let apartment complex in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the raid continue.
The operation, carried out at Mariton Apartments, located on QMB Mart Road Ikate Lekki Phase 1, was conducted in the early hours of July 27, according to sources familiar with the development.
A senior EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, confirmed the arrests.
“The operation was carried out based on intelligence received by the Commission. Yes, suspects were arrested and investigations are ongoing. At this stage, we cannot disclose further details because the investigation has not been concluded,” the source said.
Although the anti-graft agency has yet to issue an official statement on the operation, sources said operatives searched several apartments within the complex and questioned occupants before taking some suspects into custody.
Items considered relevant to the investigation were also recovered during the exercise, according to the sources.
While residents and other sources claimed that some of the apartments were under scrutiny over suspected criminal activities, including allegations of internet-related fraud, Frontier News could not independently verify the claims. The EFCC has also not disclosed the specific offences being investigated or the identities of those arrested.
Findings by Frontier indicate that business activities at the apartment complex have declined significantly since the operation.
Residents and operators in the area said the once-busy short-let facility has witnessed reduced patronage, with many apartments remaining unoccupied in the days following the raid.
Some operators attributed the drop in bookings to public attention generated by the EFCC operation, although no official data was available to support the extent of the decline.
Sources also told Frontier News that investigations are continuing to determine whether any property owners or managers breached existing laws or failed to exercise adequate oversight over the use of their apartments.
However, there is no indication that any owner or manager has been charged with any criminal offence, and the EFCC has not announced any findings against the management of the facility.
The Commission is expected to conclude its investigation before deciding whether charges will be filed against any of the suspects.
The development has renewed public attention on the use of short-let apartments in Lagos and the need for operators to comply with regulatory requirements, including proper guest documentation and identity verification.
