10 EFCC officers detained over alleged fraud
No fewer than 10 officers of the Lagos command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been detained for the alleged theft of missing operational items.
According to the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the development was part of ongoing efforts by EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, to rid the commission of corrupt practices.
He explained that the officers were arrested last week following directives from the EFCC boss.
“The affected officers are being questioned regarding the theft of operational items they could not account for.
“Investigators are making good progress, and those found guilty will face internal disciplinary processes,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the EFCC also announced on Monday the dismissal of 27 officers as part of its efforts to enforce integrity and combat fraud.
Oyewale noted that these officers were involved in fraudulent activities and misconduct in 2024.
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He said the EFCC chairman ratified their dismissal based on recommendations from the anti-graft staff disciplinary committee.
Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer would be immune to disciplinary action.
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EFCC launches investigation as 27 officers dismissed over alleged corruption
No fewer than 27 officers on Monday were dismissed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged involvement in fraudulent activities and misconduct.
According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, the dismissal was approved by Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the commission, after the disciplinary committee of the anti-graft agency recommended the action.
The EFCC spokesperson said the agency also probes an allegation against a sectional head.
“Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures,” the statement reads in part.
“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 spokesperson added that some persons are using the name of the EFCC chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the agency.
“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,” he said.
“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 also privy to plans “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.
