EFCC Dismisses Over 40 Staff For Corruption, Financial Misconduct

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 members of its workforce over allegations of corruption and financial malpractice in the past three years.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where he reviewed the agency’s activities and achievements under his leadership.

Olukoyede said the disciplinary action was part of efforts to strengthen accountability within the anti-graft agency and ensure that its personnel are held to the same standards imposed on members of the public investigated for financial crimes.

“In the past two and a half years or three years of my service, I’ve asked them to dismiss over 40 staff on account of corruption and financial malpractice. More than five of them are being prosecuted at the moment,” he said.

The chairman explained that dismissal would not be the only consequence for officers found to have violated the law. He said some of those removed from service were already facing criminal proceedings, while case files concerning others were being prepared for prosecution.

Olukoyede stressed that the commission could not credibly investigate corruption outside its ranks while shielding employees accused of similar offences.

“Because if that is what people do in other agencies and I arrest them, I investigate them, I prosecute them, why must I just dismiss you if you do it within our own system and I’m not prosecuting you?” he asked.

The EFCC chief said maintaining integrity within the organisation remained essential to the credibility of its investigations and prosecutions.

According to Olukoyede, the commission has also recorded significant results in its wider anti-corruption campaign since he assumed office in 2023. The agency has recovered approximately ₦1.23 trillion and secured more than 10,000 convictions during the period.

He said the figures reflected the commission’s intensified approach to financial crime investigations, asset recovery and prosecution.

The internal disciplinary measures come amid continued public scrutiny of institutions responsible for combating corruption in Nigeria. The EFCC has frequently warned that officers entrusted with investigating financial offences must not exploit their positions for personal gain.

Olukoyede’s disclosure signals a policy of applying the commission’s enforcement standards internally, with personnel accused of misconduct potentially facing both administrative sanctions and criminal prosecution.

The chairman maintained that the agency would continue pursuing corruption cases irrespective of whether allegations involved members of the public or its own officials.

The EFCC’s leadership has repeatedly positioned accountability, professionalism and transparency as key elements of its strategy to strengthen public confidence in the commission and improve its effectiveness in tackling economic and financial crimes across Nigeria.