The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the dismissal of 27 officers in 2024 for involvement in fraudulent activities and misconduct. In a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the dismissals were based on recommendations from the Staff Disciplinary Committee and were approved by the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

Oyewale explained that the affected officers were found guilty of various infractions that contravened the Commission’s standards of conduct. Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to maintaining integrity within its operations, stressing that all allegations of misconduct would be thoroughly investigated.

“No officer is above disciplinary action, regardless of rank or position,” Olukoyede emphasized. The Commission also addressed reports of fraudulent claims, including a trending allegation of $400,000 involving a Sectional Head, which it assured the public would be investigated.

Furthermore, the EFCC highlighted the activities of impersonators and blackmailers who falsely claim affiliations with the Commission to extort money from suspects under investigation. In one instance, two individuals, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were arraigned before a Federal Capital Territory High Court for attempting to extort $1 million from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko.

The EFCC described such activities as disreputable and urged the public to report similar cases. “Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences,” Oyewale stated, adding that the public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.