By Didimoko A. Didimoko, Benin City
The Businesses and Hoteliers Stakeholders Forum (BSHF) in Edo State said a new partnership with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) marks a turning point that could end tensions and unannounced raids on legitimate hospitality businesses.
Forum chairman Chief Omogiade Edokpolo said the engagement with the anti-graft agency signalled “a new era of trust and collaboration,” adding that hotel operators had long felt unfairly targeted during EFCC operations.
“In the past, we experienced raids that occurred without prior engagement or a clear understanding of our operations,” Edokpolo said. “These actions, though within the EFCC’s mandate, created fear and disrupted genuine businesses. With this new partnership, we are confident such misunderstandings will end.”
The comments followed a courtesy visit by Forum executives — including Edokpolo, secretary Barr. Osarobo Onaghise and several hotel managing directors — to the EFCC’s new acting zonal director in Benin, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, on Nov. 20.
According to the Forum, Sa’ad pledged cooperation and instructed senior officers to begin a sensitisation programme for hoteliers on Nov. 30. The session is expected to cover partnership guidelines, relevant laws, standard operating procedures, compliance measures and common violations such as weak Know-Your-Customer checks, lodging minors without proper supervision and admitting unidentified guests.
Edokpolo said the Forum supported the EFCC’s mandate and would encourage members to comply fully with regulations. “We are ready to carry out proper due diligence on guests as required,” he said, adding that the aim was to create “a fraud-free environment” for lawful businesses.
The EFCC, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and dialogue with industry operators.
Hoteliers across Edo State have been urged to attend the Nov. 30 sensitisation meeting or send representatives, which the Forum described as an opportunity to build stability and confidence in the sector.
