The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 members of its staff over corruption and financial malpractice in the past three years.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja, where he highlighted some of the reforms and activities of the commission under his leadership.
According to Olukoyede, more than five of the affected personnel are currently facing prosecution, while other cases are being prepared for possible prosecution.
He said the disciplinary measures were part of efforts to strengthen accountability within the commission and ensure that its officers are held to the same standards expected of individuals investigated for financial crimes.
Olukoyede stressed that the EFCC would not protect its personnel from prosecution where there is sufficient basis to pursue criminal cases.
He said it would be contradictory for officers working in an anti-corruption agency to be shielded from accountability when they are accused of engaging in financial misconduct.
EFCC strengthens internal accountability
The EFCC chairman also disclosed that the commission has renamed its former Department of Internal Affairs as the Department of Ethics and Integrity.
The change, he said, is part of efforts to strengthen ethical standards and improve internal accountability within the agency.
The commission has also introduced a new gift policy requiring personnel to declare gifts above a specified value, including gifts received from relatives and friends.
The policy is aimed at improving transparency and preventing situations where gifts or unexplained benefits could compromise the independence of EFCC personnel.
Why it matters
The development puts internal accountability at the centre of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
For Nigerians, the credibility of institutions such as the EFCC depends not only on the number of arrests, investigations and convictions recorded, but also on how effectively such institutions police their own personnel.
The commission has reported significant recoveries and convictions under Olukoyede’s leadership. However, the dismissal and prosecution of its own personnel highlight the continuing challenge of ensuring that anti-corruption institutions remain accountable to the public.
The EFCC says its internal reforms are designed to strengthen public confidence and ensure that officers entrusted with fighting financial crimes maintain the integrity expected of their positions.
As some of the affected former personnel face prosecution, the outcome of those cases will determine whether allegations against them are established in court.
For Nigerians, the broader question remains whether stronger internal accountability can help restore and sustain public trust in the country’s fight against corruption.
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