EFCC Dismisses 27 Officers for Fraud and Gross Misconduct
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers in 2024 after they were found guilty of fraudulent activities and gross misconduct. The dismissals followed recommendations from the staff disciplinary committee of the commission, which were ratified by EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, emphasized the agency’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and misconduct. He warned that no officer is immune from disciplinary action, regardless of their position within the commission.
“Every allegation against any staff member will always be thoroughly investigated, including the trending claim of $400,000 involving an unnamed EFCC staff member against a sectional head,” Oyewale stated. “The core values of the commission remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld.”
In a related matter, the EFCC has raised an alarm about impersonators and blackmailers who are using the name of its chairman to extort money from high-profile individuals under investigation by the agency.
The commission revealed that two members of a suspected syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. The two were accused of demanding $1 million from Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, in exchange for “soft landing” on a non-existent investigation involving Olukoyede.
EFCC stressed that such criminals remain at large and warned the public to be vigilant.
“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity, immune to any form of monetary influence,” the EFCC statement read. The agency urged the public to report any such fraudulent individuals, reminding them that blackmail attempts by suspects trying to influence investigations should not be given any attention.
The EFCC further cautioned that it is aware of ongoing efforts by certain quarters to blackmail its officers and reiterated its determination to uphold the integrity of its operations.
