By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has explained why 27 officers were dismissed from its workforce in 2024.
The anti-graft agency maintained that the affected staff members were sacked for various offences relating to fraudulent activities and misconduct.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday by the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale
According to the statement the EFCC revealed that the process of dismissal of the officers followed recommendations from its Staff Disciplinary Committee and was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The statement read in part: “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.”
Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s zero tolerance for corruption, emphasising that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.
He assured the public that all allegations against EFCC staff would be thoroughly investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim against a Sectional Head by a supposed EFCC staff member.
He stressed that the commission’s core values remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld.
“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 core values of the commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.”
The agency also warned the general public to be careful of impersonators. According to the statement, two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, and demanding $1 million to secure “soft landing” on a non-existent investigation.
“The commission noted that similar criminal elements are still at large and urged the public to report such individuals,” the statement added.
Oyewale stated that the EFCC chairman is a man of integrity who cannot be induced.
He said, “Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.
“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.”
