Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has terminated the employment of more than 40 members of staff over alleged involvement in corruption and financial irregularities during the past three years.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed this while outlining the commission’s performance since assuming office in October 2023.
He added that more than five of the affected personnel had been taken to court, while investigations were continuing into other cases, with prosecution expected to follow.
The EFCC, Nigeria’s main agency for tackling economic and financial offences, handles cases involving fraud, money laundering, corruption and the alleged diversion of public resources.
Olukoyede said the internal reforms introduced under his leadership included changing the name of the Department of Internal Affairs to the Department of Ethics and Integrity.
He also announced the implementation of new rules governing gifts and hospitality to reduce potential conflicts of interest among officials.
Under the policy, EFCC personnel are required to report gifts exceeding a prescribed value, including presents sent by relatives living outside Nigeria.
“An anti-corruption officer must maintain a clean record and conduct,” Olukoyede said, stressing that officials cannot effectively combat wrongdoing while engaging in similar practices.
The EFCC did not provide the BBC with further information on the specific allegations involving the dismissed employees.
At the Abuja briefing, Olukoyede also highlighted the commission’s wider performance, saying it had recovered 1.23 trillion naira ($925m; £683m) and achieved a conviction rate exceeding 75 per cent during his tenure.
Between October 2023 and July 2026, the commission received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 matters, initiated 14,476 court cases and obtained 10,872 convictions, he said.
During the first six months of 2026, the agency secured 1,370 convictions from 1,889 cases filed before the courts.
Olukoyede attributed the results to sustained investigations, determination and an evidence-based approach to prosecution.
Figures presented at the event also indicated a growing proportion of the EFCC’s work was centred on cybercrime and financial fraud, alongside traditional corruption investigations involving senior public figures.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong