Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has dismissed more than 40 employees for alleged corruption and financial misconduct over the past three years, according to EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede. He stated that over five of the dismissed officials are currently facing prosecution, with case files being prepared against others.
Olukoyede made the disclosure during an event assessing the agency's achievements since he assumed leadership in October 2023. He explained that the EFCC's Department of Internal Affairs has been renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity as part of ongoing reforms. A new policy on gifts and hospitality has also been implemented to combat conflicts of interest, requiring officers to declare gifts exceeding a specified threshold, including those from relatives abroad.
"You must be sure that your hands are clean. You can't be fighting corruption when your hands are soiled with corrupt practices," Olukoyede remarked to journalists in the capital, Abuja. The EFCC investigates financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and corruption, often pursuing cases against politicians, public officials, and business figures accused of misusing public funds.
While the EFCC did not provide specific details about the alleged corruption involving its former staff, the agency highlighted other accomplishments during the past three years. Olukoyede reported that under his tenure, the EFCC has recovered 1.23 trillion naira (approximately $925 million USD or £683 million GBP) and achieved a conviction rate exceeding 75%. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the commission reportedly received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court, and secured 10,872 convictions. In the first half of 2026 alone, the EFCC recorded 1,370 convictions from 1,889 filings.
The EFCC chairman attributed these outcomes to diligence, resilience, and a prosecutorial strategy focused on evidence and courtroom results. Figures released also indicate a growing focus on cybercrime and fraud within the EFCC's caseload, shifting from a primary concentration on corruption cases involving high-profile officials.