EFCC Dismisses Over 40 Officers Over Corruption, Financial Misconduct

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 members of its staff 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 during an interaction with media executives and journalists.

Olukoyede said the disciplinary action was part of efforts to strengthen integrity and accountability within the anti-graft agency.

According to him, more than five of the dismissed officers are currently facing prosecution, while investigations into other cases are being concluded ahead of possible legal action.

He explained that the commission could not effectively investigate corruption in the country if its own personnel were involved in similar practices.

“In the past two and a half years or three years of my service, I have asked them to dismiss over 40 staff on account of corruption and financial malpractice.

“More than five of them are being prosecuted at the moment. You can follow those cases in court; they are public knowledge,” he said.

The EFCC chairman also disclosed that the commission had introduced additional measures to improve transparency and accountability among its personnel.

One of the measures is a new gift policy regulating the acceptance and declaration of gifts received by EFCC officers.

Olukoyede said staff would be required to declare gifts above a specified value, including gifts received from relatives living abroad.

He explained that the commission would establish categories and monetary limits for gifts that officers could receive, adding that the policy would help the agency monitor the sources of officers’ income and their standard of living.

As part of the internal reforms, Olukoyede said the former Department of Internal Affairs had been renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity.

He said the new name reflected the commission’s determination to strengthen ethical standards and ensure that its personnel uphold the same principles expected of individuals and organisations being investigated for corruption.

Meanwhile, Olukoyede said the EFCC’s enforcement activities had also contributed significantly to revenue recovery for governments and public institutions.

He disclosed that about ₦288.1 billion had been recovered in federal and state tax-related recoveries during the period under review.

The amount comprised ₦173.2 billion recovered in federal taxes and ₦114.9 billion recovered on behalf of state internal revenue services.

Olukoyede stressed that the recoveries represented revenue obtained through the enforcement of existing financial obligations rather than the introduction of new taxes.

He added that approximately ₦257.2 billion had also been recovered for federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

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

He said ₦397.26 billion, representing 33 per cent of the naira recoveries, constituted direct recoveries for the Federal Government.

The remaining ₦836.34 billion, or 67 per cent, was recovered indirectly on behalf of MDAs, state revenue agencies, companies, individuals and foreign victims.

Olukoyede further disclosed that ₦661.32 billion and $492.37 million had been released to beneficiaries during the period.

According to him, ₦325.35 billion was paid directly to individuals and corporate organisations, while ₦335.97 billion was released to various MDAs, the Nigerian Revenue Service, state internal revenue services and other beneficiaries.

The EFCC chairman said the internal disciplinary measures and financial recovery efforts were part of broader reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public confidence in the commission’s anti-corruption campaign.

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