The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers in 2024 as part of its ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and eliminate corruption within its ranks.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, announced the development in a statement on Monday, revealing that the dismissals were for offenses ranging from fraudulent activities to professional misconduct.
According to Oyewale, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, approved the dismissals following the recommendations of the commission’s Staff Disciplinary Committee.
“Olukoyede reiterated the commission’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, emphasizing that no officer is above disciplinary action,” Oyewale said. He also warned that all allegations against EFCC staff would be thoroughly investigated, including a trending claim involving $400,000 allegedly linked to an unidentified EFCC staff member.
“The core values of the commission are sacrosanct and will always be upheld,” Oyewale added.
In a related development, the EFCC cautioned the public against impersonators and blackmailers exploiting the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money. The commission disclosed that two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja. They were accused of contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka, and demanding $1 million to secure “soft landing” in a nonexistent investigation.
Oyewale reassured the public of Olukoyede’s unwavering integrity, urging anyone targeted by such fraudulent schemes to report the perpetrators immediately.
He also warned against attempts to discredit EFCC officers through blackmail by suspects under investigation who failed to bribe their way out. “Such baseless blackmail should not be given any attention,” Oyewale concluded.
