The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) terminated the employment of 27 officers in 2024 due to fraudulent activities and professional misconduct.
In a statement issued on Monday by the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC confirmed that the dismissals followed recommendations from its staff disciplinary committee, which were subsequently approved by the commission’s executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The statement highlighted the commission’s unwavering commitment to upholding integrity, with Olukoyede reinforcing the EFCC’s strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. He stressed that no officer would be exempt from disciplinary action and assured the public that thorough investigations would be conducted into all allegations against EFCC staff, including a recent claim involving $400,000 allegedly connected to a sectional head.
Olukoyede reiterated the commission’s non-negotiable core values, emphasizing their firm commitment to maintaining them.2
The EFCC also warned the public about impersonators and blackmailers who are exploiting the name of its executive chairman to extort money from high-profile individuals under investigation.
The statement included details of a recent case involving two suspected members of a syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, who were arraigned before Federal Capital Territory High Court judge, Jude Onwuebuzie, in Abuja. They were accused of contacting former Nigerian Ports Authority managing director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, and demanding $1 million to secure a “soft landing” in a fabricated investigation.
The EFCC urged the public to remain alert and report any such criminal activity.
The statement also emphasized that the commission’s chairman remains uncompromised. “The EFCC is aware of attempts to blackmail its officers through underhanded tactics. Suspects who fail to influence their investigators often resort to blackmail. These criminals should not be given any attention,” the statement concluded.
