The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in its quest to enforce integrity and get rid of fraudulent elements, dismissed twenty seven officers from its workforce in 2024.
A statement released by the commission’s spokesman on Monday indicated that the officers were dismissed for various crimes bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct.
Olukoyede warned that no officer is exempted from disciplinary action and restated the commission’s zero tolerance policy to corruption.
The statement read; “Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the staff disciplinary committee of the commission was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
“Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.
“The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.”
The Commission also alerted the public to the actions of impersonators and blackmailers who use the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile individuals under investigation by the EFCC.
It said two suspects were arrested and arraigned by the commission for defrauding a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka, and demanding $1m from him for a fair judgement.
“Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka and demanding $1million from him for “Olukoyede to give him soft landing” on a non-existing investigation. Such characters are still on the loose seeking victims.
“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.
“Additionally, the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means.
“Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw. Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention,” the statement ended.
