EFCC Takes Drastic Action, Dismisses Over 40 Staff Over Corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 members of its workforce over alleged corruption and financial misconduct within the past two and a half years.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Abuja while addressing media executives and journalists.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Olukoyede said more than five of the affected personnel are currently facing prosecution, while investigations and preparations for legal action against other officers are ongoing.

He explained that the disciplinary measures formed part of the commission’s internal reforms aimed at ensuring that its officers maintain the highest standards of integrity while investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.

Olukoyede said he had authorised the dismissal of more than 40 personnel since assuming office because of corruption and financial malpractice, adding that some of the cases had already progressed to court.

The EFCC chairman stressed that officers entrusted with fighting corruption must themselves remain above suspicion and uphold the principles of accountability and transparency.

He also disclosed that the commission had introduced additional measures to strengthen ethical conduct among its personnel, including a new policy regulating gifts received by staff.

Under the policy, EFCC officers will be required to declare gifts exceeding a specified value, including items or financial benefits received from relatives living abroad.

Olukoyede said the commission would establish clear categories and monetary thresholds for gifts that personnel may accept. According to him, the measure would help officers properly account for their income, assets and standard of living.

As part of the reforms, the former Department of Internal Affairs has also been renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity. Olukoyede said the restructuring was intended to strengthen internal oversight and ensure that the EFCC maintains the same ethical standards it demands from individuals and organisations under investigation.

The EFCC chairman further disclosed that the commission’s enforcement activities had contributed substantially to revenue mobilisation by recovering funds owed to government institutions.

He said federal and state tax recoveries during the period under review stood at approximately ₦288.1 billion, comprising ₦173.2 billion recovered in federal taxes and ₦114.9 billion linked to state internal revenue services.

Olukoyede clarified that the money represented fiscal value recovered through enforcement of existing financial obligations rather than the introduction of new taxes.

He also revealed that about ₦257.2 billion had been recovered for federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Providing details of the commission’s overall recoveries, Olukoyede said the EFCC recovered ₦1.23 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million between October 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026.

According to him, ₦397.26 billion, representing 33 per cent of the naira recoveries, constituted direct recoveries for the Federal Government, while ₦836.34 billion, representing 67 per cent, was recovered indirectly for MDAs, state revenue agencies, companies, individuals and foreign victims.

He added that ₦661.32 billion and $492.37 million from the recovered funds had been released to beneficiaries during the period.

Of that amount, ₦325.35 billion was paid directly to individuals and corporate organisations, while ₦335.97 billion was disbursed to various MDAs, the Nigerian Revenue Service and state internal revenue services, among other beneficiaries.

Olukoyede maintained that the reforms and recovery efforts were designed to deepen transparency, improve accountability within the commission and strengthen public confidence in the EFCC’s fight against corruption.