KEY POINTS
- EFCC dismisses 27 officers for misconduct and fraudulent activities.
- Agency investigates $400,000 fraud complaint involving a Sectional Head.
- Public warned against impersonators exploiting EFCC chairman’s name.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that it dismissed 27 of its officers in 2024 due to misconduct and fraudulent activities.
The dismissals, recommended by the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, were ratified by the agency’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in line with its commitment to integrity.
Speaking through a statement on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed that the commission is also investigating a $400,000 fraud claim involving a Sectional Head and a supposed EFCC staff member.
“The core values of the commission remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld,” Olukoyede stated, emphasizing that no officer is above disciplinary action and that allegations will be thoroughly investigated.
EFCC warns public against impersonators and blackmailers
The EFCC issued a public alert about impersonators exploiting the name of its chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects.
Moreover, the agency disclosed that two members of a syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were arraigned in Abuja for allegedly demanding $1 million from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, in exchange for a “soft landing” in a fictitious investigation.
According to Punch, the commission urged the public to report such individuals, warning that similar criminal elements remain at large. In addition, Oyewale confirmed the high level of integrity of the EFCC chairman, pointing to the effect that he cannot be bought over by any amount of money offered.
“Suspects under investigation often resort to blackmail when they fail to compromise investigators. Such tactics should not be entertained,” Oyewale added.
EFCC re-affirms stance on accountability and anti-corruption
The chairman said that the EFCC is fully committed to fighting corruption and preventing instances of corruption within the commission.
Internal discipline is also employed with a lot of rigidity and the agency also has a zero-tolerance policy on instances of staff involvement in the vice.
“Dismissals like these are part of our broader mission to uphold integrity and rid the EFCC of fraudulent elements,” Olukoyede said.
However, as an anti-corruption agency, the EFCC is still pursuing impersonation and fraudulent cases together with practicing transparency and accountability to gain the public’s trust.
