Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said it did not carry out any raid on Standard Chartered Bank, saying the act may have been carried out by officials on illegal duty.

According to the commission, its modus operandi is to invite people and not to use Gestapo tactics in investigation.

Its Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, says following repeated media enquiries regarding a purported raid on the head office of the Bank by operatives of the Commission, he is constrained to state that there is no raid on the bank by the officers.

Uwujaren, says the raid by operatives purportedly wearing the jackets of the commission might have been the handiwork of errant officers who acted without authorization.

He says the action is in flagrant violation of the standard operation procedures of the commission as it is not the style of the EFCC to openly raid the offices of banks and other financial institutions.

“Officials of such institutions, who are wanted by the commission, are usually invited for questioning after discreet investigation. Over the years, banks have been cooperative in releasing their officers to the Commission for questioning.”

The anti-graft agency promised to investigate the matter, adding that it would leave no stone unturned.

The EFCC noted that it was a law abiding agency and would carry out its duties professionally.

It added, “The commission will investigate the circumstances leading to this illegal raid by errant officers and those found culpable would be subjected to the internal disciplinary mechanism of the Commission.

“The EFCC again reassures Nigerians that it is an agency which adheres strictly to the rule of law and will, as much as possible, avoid draconian measures in its fight against corruption.”