The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 personnel over allegations of corruption and financial malpractice since Ola Olukoyede became chairman.
According to Olukoyede, the affected officers were dismissed after being found to have engaged in conduct inconsistent with the commission’s anti-corruption mandate.
More than five of those dismissed are currently facing prosecution, while legal proceedings against others are being prepared.
Olukoyede disclosed this on Monday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja during a briefing on the commission’s activities and reforms under his leadership.
The EFCC chairman said the commission would not treat its personnel differently from members of the public investigated for corruption.
He said officers who breach the law must face the same consequences as individuals investigated by the agency.
“If I arrest, investigate and prosecute people for corruption, why should I simply dismiss our own personnel when they engage in the same conduct?” he asked.
Olukoyede added that some of the cases involving former EFCC personnel had already reached the courts and could be followed through publicly available court proceedings.
Beyond disciplinary action, he said the commission had renamed its former Department of Internal Affairs as the Department of Ethics and Integrity.
He said the restructuring was aimed at strengthening ethical standards and accountability within the agency.
The chairman also announced the introduction of a gift policy for EFCC personnel as part of efforts to prevent conflicts of interest and promote transparency.
Under the policy, officers will be required to declare gifts above an approved threshold, including presents received from relatives living abroad.
The commission will also determine the categories of gifts its personnel may legitimately accept.
Olukoyede stressed that EFCC officers must maintain a lifestyle that can be justified through legitimate means, given the nature of their responsibilities.
“You must be sure that your hands are clean,” he said, warning that officers cannot credibly fight corruption while engaging in corrupt practices themselves.