EFCC chief says anti-graft agency has dismissed more than 40 staff over corruption
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency says it has taken disciplinary action against dozens of its own officials as part of an internal campaign to strengthen accountability within the institution.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed that more than 40 employees have been removed from the agency over allegations of corruption and financial misconduct since he assumed office in late 2023. He said several former officers are already facing prosecution, while additional cases are being prepared for court.
The announcement came during a review of the commission’s performance in Abuja, where Olukoyede argued that an agency tasked with fighting corruption must be held to the same standards it expects from others.
As part of wider reforms, the EFCC has revamped its internal oversight structures and introduced stricter ethics measures aimed at preventing conflicts of interest. The agency now requires officials to declare certain gifts and benefits received, including those from relatives living abroad.
Beyond the internal disciplinary actions, the commission reported what it described as significant enforcement results over the past three years. According to figures presented by the EFCC, investigations conducted between October 2023 and July 2026 led to thousands of court filings and convictions, while more than one trillion naira in assets and funds were recovered.
Olukoyede said the agency’s recent work has increasingly focused on cybercrime and fraud-related offences, reflecting changes in the nature of financial crime in Nigeria.
The EFCC, one of the country’s leading anti-graft institutions, is responsible for investigating offences such as money laundering, fraud and corruption involving both public officials and private individuals. The latest disclosures are expected to intensify scrutiny of integrity standards within the agency itself as it continues its anti-corruption mandate.
Source: BBC
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