EFCC dismisses 27 staff: Great move or a decoy?
Photo credit: instagram
The Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) said it has dismissed its 27 staff members due to fraudulent activities.
READ ALSO: Speed Darlington files ₦300m suit for unlawful detention amidst Burna Boy’s Saga
Rivers political crisis heightens as Fugbara presents 2025 budget to a three-man House
This seems to be an applaudable development as it’s believed the commission has listened to the voice of the public to probe its officials.
Over time, there has been doubt in the mind of the public over the dealings of the commission. Many claimed some of the members got involved in fraudulent dealings, especially regarding the handling of cybercrime victims and search exercises of individuals bearing resemblance to ‘Yahoo boys.’
Since the news of the dismissal circulated online, many reactions have trailed the story, especially from netizens.
Some questioned the validity of the dismissal, while others believed it’s a make-believe act to cover up the negative stories around the commission.
Meanwhile, in a statement released on the official X account of the commission, Dele Oyewale, spokesman for the commission, said, “In a quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024.”
He went further to say that their dismissal followed the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC and was ratified by the executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Punchonline reports that he assured the public that all allegations against EFCC staff would be thoroughly investigated, including a trending claim involving $400,000 against a sectional head by a supposed EFCC staff member.
Mr. Oyewale also emphasised that the EFCC chairman is a man of integrity who cannot be influenced by monetary offers.
He also urged the public to beware of impersonators parading as EFCC officials, saying, as contained in their statement, which says, “The commission also wishes to alert the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its executive chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.”
This note serves as an eye-opener that perhaps those fraudulent activities levelled against the commission were done by individuals impersonating the executive chairman.
What to know about the current EFCC chairman
Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede is the fifth and current executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was born on October 14, 1969, and hails from Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
On October 18, 2023, he was confirmed into power by the Nigerian state.
He succeeded Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, who served as Acting Chairman of the Commission following the suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa on June 14, 2023.
Mr. Olanipeku Olukoyede has also served as Chief of Staff to the former Acting Executive Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
And also served as secretary to the Commission from November 28, 2018, till he left the office.
He is a legal practitioner who has acquired many years of experience in fraud examination.
Mr. Ola studied the Public Corruption Management program at the prestigious University of Oxford.
