The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers implicated in fraudulent activities and gross misconduct, following recommendations from its staff disciplinary committee. The decision was approved by Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, and came into effect in 2024.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, reiterated Olukoyede’s commitment to upholding the agency’s integrity, stressing that no officer is immune from disciplinary actions. “Every allegation against any EFCC officer is thoroughly investigated, including the ongoing $400,000 claim involving a sectional head by an unidentified staff member. The EFCC’s core values remain non-negotiable,” Oyewale stated.

In addition to the staff terminations, the EFCC issued a warning about fraudsters impersonating the commission’s chairman to extort money from high-profile individuals under investigation. The commission disclosed that Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim had been arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for allegedly demanding $1 million from former Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Kaka. The duo claimed the payment would guarantee leniency in a non-existent investigation.

The EFCC urged the public to be vigilant and report any impersonators and blackmailers, emphasizing that Olukoyede is committed to transparency and is impervious to monetary influence.

The commission also cautioned against efforts to tarnish the reputations of its officers through blackmail, noting that suspects who fail to compromise investigations often resort to such tactics. “Such elements should be disregarded. The EFCC remains unwavering in its fight against corruption,” Oyewale added.