Nigerian anticorruption agency sacks 40 staff over misconduct allegations | Corruption News
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 employees in connection with alleged corruption and financial misconduct over the past three years, the agency’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, announced on Monday. The dismissals were disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja that highlighted the agency’s recent achievements.
According to Nigerian media reports, five of the dismissed employees are currently facing prosecution, while cases are being prepared against additional individuals involved, as stated by Olukoyede.
The EFCC is tasked with investigating financial crimes, including advance fee fraud, money laundering, and corruption, with a primary focus on public officials accused of misappropriating funds.
“In the past two and a half years or three years of my service, I’ve asked them to dismiss over 40 staff on account of corruption and financial malpractice,” Olukoyede told journalists. He emphasized the necessity for integrity within the commission, stating, “You can’t be fighting corruption when your hands are soiled with corrupt practices.”
During the briefing, Olukoyede reported that the EFCC has recovered approximately 1.23 trillion naira, equivalent to $923 million, and achieved a 75 percent conviction rate.
The agency has managed to address a high volume of cases, receiving 49,673 petitions, investigating 39,615 cases, and filing 14,476 cases in court, leading to 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026. In the first half of 2026 alone, the EFCC recorded 1,370 convictions from 1,889 filings.
“These results reflect diligence, resilience, and a prosecutorial approach anchored on evidence and courtroom outcomes,” Olukoyede stated.
