- Detainees unable to account for operational items missing under their watch
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over allegations of theft of operational items.
The development, according to the agency, is part of an ongoing internal investigation aimed at maintaining transparency and integrity within the agency.
The arrest and detention of the officers were ordered by the EFCC’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, as part of a broader initiative to address corrupt practices and unethical behavior among the commission’s personnel.
The detained officers are currently answering questions regarding their inability to account for certain operational items that were reportedly missing under their watch.
“The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for,” a statement on the EFCC’s X account said on Wednesday.
On Monday, it was reported that the EFCC dismissed 27 of its officers for fraudulent activities and misconduct.
This action was taken upon the recommendation of the EFCC’s Staff Disciplinary Committee.
“Investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.”
The EFCC said it had dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024 for various offences related to fraudulent activities and misconduct.
In a statement issued on Monday by the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC revealed that the dismissal followed recommendations from its Staff Disciplinary Committee and was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The statement read, “In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024.
“Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.”
Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s zero tolerance for corruption, emphasising that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.
He assured the public that all allegations against EFCC staff would be thoroughly investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim against a Sectional Head by a supposed EFCC staff member.
He stressed that the commission’s core values remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld.
“Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.
“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 also warned the public about the activities of impersonators and blackmailers exploiting the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects under investigation.
According to the statement, 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 to secure “soft landing” on a non-existent investigation.
“The commission noted that similar criminal elements are still at large and urged the public to report such individuals,” the statement added.
Oyewale stated that the EFCC chairman is a man of integrity who cannot be induced.
He said, “Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.
“Additionally, the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means. Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw. Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention.”
