Massive purge at EFCC: 27 corrupt officers relieved of their duties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a bold step in its fight against corruption, dismissing 27 officers from its workforce in 2024 for alleged fraudulent activities and misconduct.

This followed the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee’s recommendations, which were ratified by Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, a lawyer.

According to Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, the Commission remains committed to its zero-tolerance policy for corruption and will thoroughly investigate all allegations against staff members.

This decisive action demonstrates the EFCC’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity within its ranks.

Oyewale said:“The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

“Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.

“Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.

“The Commission also wishes to alert the public of 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.

“Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka, and demanding $1 million from him for ‘Olukoyede to give him soft landing’ on a non-existing investigation.

“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.”

It added: “Additionally, the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means.

“Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw. Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention.”