Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, announced the dismissals in a statement issued on Monday. He explained that the action followed recommendations from the Staff Disciplinary Committee and was approved by the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
“In its commitment to enforcing integrity and rooting out fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024,” the statement read.
Olukoyede reiterated the commission’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption, stressing that no officer would be exempt from scrutiny or disciplinary measures. He assured the public that all allegations against EFCC staff, including a $400,000 claim involving a Sectional Head, would be thoroughly investigated.
“The core values of the commission are sacrosanct and will always be upheld,” he emphasized.
The EFCC also warned the public about impersonators and blackmailers exploiting its chairman’s name to extort money from individuals under investigation. Recently, two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. They were accused of contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, and demanding $1 million in exchange for a “soft landing” in a fictitious investigation.
The EFCC urged the public to report such schemes, affirming that its chairman, Olukoyede, remains steadfast in his integrity.
“Olukoyede is a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is encouraged to report any disreputable individuals to the Commission,” Oyewale added.
The commission also warned against attempts to blackmail its officers, emphasizing that suspects unable to compromise their investigators often resort to such tactics. The public was urged to disregard these efforts and trust the EFCC’s commitment to transparency and justice.
