The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has dismissed 27 officials over alleged fraudulent activities and misconduct.
In a statement on Monday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said the dismissal was approved by Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the commission.
Oyewale said the disciplinary committee of the anti-graft agency recommended the dismissal.
The EFCC spokesperson said the agency is also probing an allegation involving an unidentified staff member and a sectional head.
“In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dismissed twenty seven (27) officers from its workforce in 2024,” the statement reads.
“The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
“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 EFCC said it is also aware of the activities of “impersonators and blackmailers” using the name of Olukoyede “to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC”.
“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 from him for “Olukoyede to give him soft landing” on a non-existing investigation. Such characters are still on the loose seeking victims,” the statement added.
“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the commission.”
The anti-graft agency said it is privy to moves “being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the commission through unwholesome means”.
The EFCC said suspects under investigation for economic and financial crimes are behind the alleged blackmail plot. (The Cable)
