The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers in 2024 for offences related to fraudulent activities and misconduct. The action followed recommendations by the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and was approved by the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, on Monday, the EFCC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on corruption within its ranks. The Commission emphasized that all allegations against its staff would be thoroughly investigated.

“The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct,” Oyewale stated. “Their dismissal was based on the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee and ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.”

Olukoyede reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to upholding integrity, warning that no officer is exempt from disciplinary action. He also addressed a trending $400,000 allegation involving a supposed EFCC staff member and a Sectional Head, stating that every claim against the Commission’s employees would be investigated.

The EFCC also cautioned the public against impersonators and blackmailers exploiting the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects under investigation. The Commission revealed that two alleged members of a syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, had been arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja. They were accused of demanding $1 million from a former Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Kaka, under the guise of securing “soft landing” for him in a non-existent investigation.

“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences,” the statement added. “The public is urged to report such disreputable elements to the EFCC.”

The Commission also highlighted attempts to blackmail its officers by suspects who failed to compromise their investigators, urging the public to disregard such tactics.