EFCC sacks over 40 staff for corruption, prosecutes 5 others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 staff members over allegations of corruption and financial malpractice, according to officials in Abuja. The announcement came during a press briefing led by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who revealed that the disciplinary actions spanned the past two and a half to three years of his tenure. Over five of the dismissed officers are already undergoing prosecution, while additional case files are being prepared for legal action against others. Olukoyede emphasized that these measures were essential to maintaining the integrity of EFCC personnel, who are tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. He reiterated that the commission expects its staff to adhere to the same high standards of accountability it demands from the general public. “You can’t be fighting corruption when your hands are soiled with corrupt practices,” he said. To reinforce this commitment, the EFCC has implemented new policies aimed at increasing transparency and preventing conflicts of interest. One such policy requires staff to declare gifts exceeding a specified monetary value, including those received from family members both locally and internationally. The commission will determine the categories and thresholds for acceptable gifts, ensuring that officers can provide clear documentation regarding their income and lifestyle. This initiative aims to eliminate opportunities for misuse of position and promote ethical behavior within the organization. In addition to these reforms, the EFCC has renamed its former Department of Internal Affairs to the Department of Ethics and Integrity. This change reflects the commission’s broader strategy to prioritize internal accountability and ethical conduct. Olukoyede described the move as part of an ongoing effort to cleanse the institution and align its operations with the principles it seeks to enforce externally. During the same briefing, Olukoyede highlighted the EFCC's achievements in recovering substantial amounts of illicit funds. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the commission successfully recovered N1.23 trillion and $684.48 million in proceeds of crime. Out of this total, N397.26 billion was directly returned to the Federal Government, while the remainder was distributed to various beneficiaries, including state internal revenue services, federal ministries, and private entities. The EFCC processed 49,673 petitions during the reporting period, resulting in 39,615 investigations. Of these, 14,476 cases proceeded to court, leading to 10,872 convictions. This indicates that the commission investigated nearly four out of every five petitions it received and achieved convictions in approximately three-quarters of the cases taken to trial. The recovered funds were obtained in 16 different currencies across five continents, underscoring the global reach of the commission’s anti-corruption efforts. A significant portion of the recovered assets, N661.32 billion and $492.37 million, has been disbursed to beneficiaries through restitution and other recovery mechanisms. Remaining funds amounting to N71.01 billion and $18.29 million are still in recovery accounts or with exhibit keepers awaiting verification of ownership claims. Among the recipients were several state internal revenue services, including those in Edo, Kwara, Oyo, and Sokoto, which collectively received N97.98 billion. Additionally, federal ministries and public corporate bodies benefited from the recovered funds, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of the commission’s work. Olukoyede also called for continued support from the media and civil society organizations, urging them to fulfill their traditional role as watchdogs. He argued that institutional reforms and policy changes are crucial in combating financial crimes, emphasizing that law enforcement alone cannot achieve lasting results. His remarks underscored the need for a multifaceted approach to address systemic issues within the country’s governance structures.