The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that in 2024, 27 of its officers were dismissed due to various acts of misconduct and fraudulent activities.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Monday. The agency confirmed that it is also investigating a “trending $400,000 allegation” involving a staff member and a Sectional Head.
Oyewale stated that the dismissals were not arbitrary but followed thorough deliberations by the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee. “In its unwavering effort to uphold integrity and weed out fraudulent elements from its workforce, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its service in 2024,” he explained. “The dismissals were based on recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and were approved by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.”
Speaking further, the EFCC Chairman reiterated the agency’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for corruption within its ranks. He emphasized that no staff member, regardless of position or tenure, is exempt from accountability and disciplinary measures. “The core values of the commission remain sacrosanct, and we are committed to ensuring that they are upheld. All allegations of misconduct will be thoroughly investigated, including the $400,000 claim currently under review,” Olukoyede asserted.
In addition to addressing internal corruption, the EFCC also issued a warning to the public about the activities of impersonators and blackmailers. These individuals allegedly exploit the name of the EFCC Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects under investigation. “The commission alerts the public to these unscrupulous individuals who falsely claim to represent the Executive Chairman. These impersonators are using blackmail and deceit to extract money from suspects. This behavior will not be tolerated, and we urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities,” the statement read.
As part of its efforts to combat such criminal activities, the EFCC revealed that two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The suspects allegedly approached a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, demanding $1 million for a “soft landing” in a fabricated investigation. The commission noted that while these two suspects are in custody, other members of the syndicate remain at large. The EFCC urged the public to report any information that could aid in their apprehension.
Dele Oyewale also highlighted that some suspects under investigation for economic and financial crimes resort to blackmail when their attempts to compromise investigators fail. He assured the public that such attempts are baseless and should not be taken seriously. “We have observed that suspects who fail to influence investigators often resort to underhanded tactics, including blackmail, to discredit the commission. These attempts are unfounded and should be disregarded,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Oyewale emphasized that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, remains a man of integrity who cannot be influenced by financial inducements. “The public should rest assured that the Chairman’s integrity is beyond reproach. Any individuals attempting to tarnish his image or the reputation of the commission will be dealt with according to the law,” he stated.
The EFCC reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, accountability, and combating corruption at all levels, assuring Nigerians that the agency remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice and integrity.
