Nigeria's EFCC dismisses over 40 agents for corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria has dismissed more than 40 employees over the past two and a half to three years due to suspected corruption and financial malpractice. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced these dismissals during a press conference in Abuja, noting that at least five of the former agents are already facing legal proceedings.

As part of a broader reform initiative to strengthen the agency's integrity, the EFCC has renamed its internal affairs department to the ‘Department of Ethics and Integrity’. New policies have also been implemented regarding gifts and invitations to minimize conflicts of interest, requiring officials to declare any gifts exceeding a specific value.

Olukoyede emphasized the necessity of internal accountability, stating, ‘You must be sure to have clean hands. We cannot fight corruption when our hands are soiled by corrupt practices.’ The agency reported significant activity between October 2023 and July 2026, including investigating over 39,000 cases and recovering approximately 1.23 trillion naira.