The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has dismissed more than 40 of its personnel for corruption and financial misconduct since Ola Olukoyede became chairman of the anti-graft agency.
Olukoyede disclosed this on Monday during a briefing at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he reviewed the activities of the commission under his leadership.
The EFCC chairman said some of the dismissed officers had gone beyond internal disciplinary action and were now facing prosecution. He added that the commission was also preparing case files against other personnel whose cases could proceed to court.
According to him, the EFCC would not protect any of its officers who engage in corrupt practices while the agency is investigating similar offences committed by members of the public.
Olukoyede said the commission must hold its personnel to the same standards expected of Nigerians who come under its investigations. He maintained that dismissal alone would not be enough where an officer’s actions amounted to a criminal offence.
He said several of the cases involving dismissed officers could be followed through the courts because they were already public matters.
As part of efforts to improve accountability within the agency, Olukoyede also announced changes to its internal structure. He said the former Department of Internal Affairs had been renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity.
The new name, according to him, reflects the commission’s efforts to improve ethical conduct and deal with wrongdoing within its own ranks.
The EFCC has also introduced a gift policy for its personnel as part of measures to promote transparency and prevent situations where officers could receive benefits that may affect their duties.
Under the policy, officers will be expected to declare gifts above an approved value. The requirement will also cover certain gifts received from relatives living outside Nigeria.
The commission is expected to set clear limits on the types of gifts officers can accept and the value of such gifts.
Olukoyede said the measures were designed to ensure that EFCC personnel could properly explain their sources of income and maintain living standards that are consistent with their legitimate earnings.
The chairman said the agency could not effectively fight corruption in the country if its own personnel were involved in corrupt activities.
He said maintaining clean records within the commission was necessary to preserve public confidence in its investigations and prosecutions.
Since Olukoyede assumed office, the EFCC has continued to focus on financial crimes, corruption, cybercrime and other offences involving the misuse of public and private funds.
The latest disclosure shows that the commission is also turning its attention inward by taking disciplinary and legal action against personnel accused of misconduct.
The chairman said the agency would continue to strengthen its internal controls and ensure that officers found guilty of wrongdoing faced appropriate consequences.
The EFCC’s internal accountability measures come as the commission continues its wider campaign against financial crimes across Nigeria. The agency has repeatedly called for stronger ethical standards among public officials and citizens while pursuing cases involving alleged fraud and corruption.
Olukoyede said the same principles must apply to the commission’s employees, noting that officers responsible for enforcing anti-corruption laws must also be ready to submit themselves to scrutiny.
The agency is therefore expected to continue monitoring the conduct of its personnel, reviewing its internal systems and taking action where evidence of wrongdoing is established.