The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 of its personnel over alleged corruption and financial misconduct in the past two and a half years.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed this in Abuja while speaking with media executives and journalists, stressing that the commission would not tolerate corruption among its own officials.
Olukoyede revealed that more than five of the dismissed personnel are currently facing prosecution, while cases involving other affected officials are being prepared for legal action.
He said the disciplinary measures were necessary to preserve the credibility of the agency and ensure that EFCC officials maintain the highest standards of integrity while investigating financial crimes.
“In the past two and a half years or three years of my service, I have asked them to dismiss over 40 staff on account of corruption and financial malpractice,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC chairman also announced measures aimed at tightening internal accountability, including a new policy regulating gifts received by personnel.
Under the policy, officials will be required to declare gifts above a specified value, including gifts received from relatives abroad. Olukoyede said the move would help the commission monitor the lifestyle and sources of wealth of its personnel.
The agency has also renamed its former Department of Internal Affairs as the Department of Ethics and Integrity, reflecting its renewed focus on internal discipline and accountability.
EFCC Reports N1.23tn Recoveries
Beyond its internal reforms, Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC recovered approximately N1.23 trillion, alongside $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million, between October 2023 and June 2026.
He said N397.26 billion of the naira recoveries represented direct recoveries for the Federal Government, while N836.34 billion constituted indirect recoveries made on behalf of government agencies, state revenue services, companies, individuals and foreign victims.
The commission also recovered about N288.1 billion in federal and state tax obligations, comprising N173.2 billion for the Federal Government and N114.9 billion for state internal revenue services.
Olukoyede further disclosed that approximately N257.2 billion was recovered for federal ministries, departments and agencies.
He said N661.32 billion and $492.37 million from recovered funds had already been released to beneficiaries.
The EFCC chairman maintained that the commission’s efforts were focused not only on recovering stolen funds but also on ensuring that its own personnel remained accountable, warning that officials cannot effectively fight corruption while engaging in corrupt practices themselves.
