According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 27 of its personnel were fired for misbehaviour and fraud last year. Additionally, the anti-graft agency stated that it was looking into: “A trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.”
This was revealed in a statement available to BrandSpur national news desk, released on Monday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale. According to him, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, approved the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee’s recommendations, which led to the dismissals.
He went on to say: “In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024.
“Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede,” he added.
The EFCC Chairman was quoted in the statement as reiterating the commission’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and stressing that no officer is exempt from disciplinary action. He also assured the public that all accusations made against EFCC employees would be carefully looked into, including a widely circulated claim involving $400,000 made by a purported EFCC employee against a Sectional Head.
Olukoyede reiterated the panel’s dedication to fighting corruption and guaranteeing accountability at all levels, saying: “The core values of the commission remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld.”
EFCC also warned the public about blackmailers and impersonators using its chairman’s name to demand money from prominent individuals who are being investigated.
Continuing, the EFCC statement partly reads: “The commission also wishes to alert the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.”
According to EFCC, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, two members of a purported syndicate, were recently arraigned before Federal Capital Territory High Court Judge Jude Onwuebuzie in Abuja. The two allegedly requested $1 million to achieve a “soft landing” in a fictitious probe after reaching out to Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, a former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The panel asked the public to report such persons, noting that comparable criminal elements are still at large.
Oyewale further emphasized that the chairman of the EFCC is an honest man who is unaffected by financial incentives, saying: “Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to report such disreputable elements to the commission.”
EFCC is also aware of attempts to use dishonest tactics to blackmail its officers.
Furthering, Oyewale stated: “Suspects under investigation for economic and financial crimes, who have failed to compromise their investigators, often resort to blackmail. These blackmailers should not be given any attention.”
