The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has terminated the employment of 27 officers over allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, noting that the decision received the approval of the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
According to Oyewale, the EFCC’s disciplinary committee recommended the dismissal after investigating the affected officers.
“Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures,” the statement partly read.
“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 disclosed that it is investigating a sectional head over the $400,000 allegation.
Additionally, Oyewale revealed that some individuals are exploiting the EFCC chairman’s name to extort money from high-profile suspects under investigation.
He cited a case where two alleged members of a syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
The suspects reportedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, a former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, demanding $1 million to secure a “soft landing” from Olukoyede on a non-existent investigation.
“Such characters are still on the loose seeking victims,” Oyewale 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 EFCC also alleged that suspects facing investigations for financial and economic crimes are orchestrating a blackmail campaign against its officers.
The commission vowed to uphold its standards and ensure that such plots are exposed.
