The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it dismissed 27 of its officers last year for misconduct and fraudulent activities.
The anti-graft agency also said it was investigating “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.”
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He said the dismissals followed recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, which were ratified by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The statement quoted the EFCC Chairman as reaffirming the commission’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, emphasising that no officer is immune to disciplinary action.
He also assured the public that all allegations against EFCC staff would be thoroughly investigated, including a trending claim involving $400,000 against a Sectional Head by a supposed EFCC staff member.
“The core values of the commission remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld,” Olukoyede said, reiterating the commission’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability at all levels.
In addition, the EFCC issued a warning to the public about impersonators and blackmailers exploiting the name of its chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects under investigation.
“The commission also wishes to alert the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC,” the statement read.
The EFCC revealed that 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 in Abuja.
The pair allegedly contacted a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, and demanded $1m to secure a “soft landing” in a non-existent investigation.
The commission noted that similar criminal elements are still at large and urged the public to report such individuals.
Oyewale further emphasised that EFCC Chairman is a man of integrity who cannot be influenced by monetary offers.
“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to report such disreputable elements to the commission.”
The EFCC is also aware of attempts to blackmail its officers through unscrupulous means.
“Suspects under investigation for economic and financial crimes, who have failed to compromise their investigators, often resort to blackmail. These blackmailers should not be given any attention,” Oyewale added.
