The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that more than 40 of its personnel have been dismissed over the past two and a half years for alleged involvement in corruption and financial misconduct.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the disclosure in Abuja during a meeting with media executives and journalists, stating that the dismissals formed part of the commission’s efforts to maintain high ethical standards among its personnel.
According to Olukoyede, more than five former staff members are currently facing prosecution, while case files involving other individuals are being prepared for possible legal action.
He said the commission would continue to hold its personnel accountable, stressing that officers responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases must uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Olukoyede stated that the EFCC had introduced additional measures to strengthen internal accountability, including a gift policy that would regulate the acceptance and declaration of gifts by staff members.
Under the proposed policy, personnel may be required to declare gifts and assets above a specified value, including certain items received from relatives living abroad.
He explained that the commission would establish guidelines on the categories and value of gifts that staff members could accept as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability regarding their sources of income and standard of living.
The EFCC chairman warned that personnel could not effectively fight corruption while engaging in corrupt practices themselves.
As part of the internal reforms, the commission has also renamed its former Department of Internal Affairs as the Department of Ethics and Integrity.
Olukoyede also highlighted the commission’s role in revenue mobilisation, disclosing that its enforcement activities led to tax recoveries of approximately ₦288.1 billion for federal and state authorities during the period under review.
The amount included about ₦173.2 billion in federal tax recoveries and ₦114.9 billion attributed to state internal revenue services.
He clarified that the funds represented recoveries arising from the enforcement of existing tax obligations and did not involve the introduction of new taxes.
The EFCC chairman further disclosed that approximately ₦257.2 billion in naira recoveries were recorded on behalf of federal ministries, departments and agencies.
Olukoyede said the commission recovered a total of ₦1.23 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million between October 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026.
According to him, about ₦397.26 billion, representing 33 per cent of the total naira recoveries, constituted direct recoveries for the Federal Government.
The remaining ₦836.34 billion, representing 67 per cent, comprised indirect recoveries made on behalf of ministries, departments and agencies, state revenue services, companies, individuals and foreign victims.
On the utilisation of the recovered funds, Olukoyede said ₦661.32 billion and $492.37 million had been released to beneficiaries during the period.
He explained that the naira disbursements included approximately ₦325.35 billion paid directly to individuals and corporate organisations, while ₦335.97 billion was released to government agencies, revenue authorities and other beneficiaries.
The latest disclosures highlight the EFCC’s efforts to strengthen internal discipline while continuing its broader mandate of investigating financial crimes, recovering public and private funds, and supporting government revenue enforcement.
