Corruption Crackdown: EFCC Launches Investigation Into Pilgrim Commission Staff

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) over allegations of public fund misappropriation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to a source within the EFCC, 146 staff members, including both current and retired officers, have been summoned to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for questioning.

“The EFCC is investigating the NCPC, and we have invited about 146 staff members for interviews. They have been scheduled to report at the EFCC headquarters on specific dates between Monday and Friday,” the source told The PUNCH.

An internal memo dated January 16, signed by Assistant Director APD Chukwura Frank on behalf of the NCPC’s Executive Secretary, confirmed the invitations. The memo, titled “Re: Invitation by EFCC on Investigation of Misappropriation of Public Funds,” instructed the invited staff to bring their international passports to the EFCC office.

“I am directed to inform you that the EFCC has invited 146 officers of the Commission (both serving and retired) for an interview and to bring their international passports for this purpose,” the memo stated. It further noted that the interviews would take place at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, starting at 10:00 a.m. on specified dates between January 22 and January 27, 2025.

The memo also listed senior officials, including the Assistant Chief Accountant, Principal Procurement Officer, and Principal Planning Officer, among those scheduled for questioning.

Attempts to reach EFCC Head of Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale and NCPC spokesperson Celestine Ogugua for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Meanwhile, a staff member who requested anonymity dismissed the development as routine. “This is just a regular check on the commission’s records. There’s nothing unusual or alarming about it,” the source said.