The EFCC has fired dozens of employees accused of corruption as the agency moves to enforce accountability within its own ranks.

Abuja, Nigeria (Running Africa) — Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed more than 40 employees over allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, as the country’s main anti-graft agency intensifies efforts to address wrongdoing within its own ranks.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the dismissals were carried out through internal disciplinary procedures over the past three years.

Five former employees are already facing prosecution, while the commission is preparing additional cases against others accused of misconduct.

Olukoyede said the EFCC could not credibly pursue corruption across Nigeria while failing to address alleged wrongdoing involving its own personnel.

EFCC Targets Corruption Within Its Own Ranks

The dismissals form part of a broader internal accountability drive aimed at strengthening confidence in the agency responsible for investigating some of Nigeria’s most significant corruption and financial crime cases.

According to Olukoyede, more than 40 staff members have been removed from the commission following disciplinary proceedings.

The EFCC chairman said criminal proceedings were already underway against five former employees, with further prosecutions expected.

The allegations against those affected vary, and dismissal or prosecution does not by itself establish criminal guilt.

EFCC Says It Recovered More Than N1.23 Trillion

Olukoyede also highlighted the commission’s broader enforcement record, noting that the EFCC recovered more than N1.23 trillion between October 2023 and July 2026.

During the same period, the agency received nearly 50,000 petitions and investigated more than 39,000 cases, according to figures provided by the commission.

The EFCC also reported securing 10,872 convictions over the period.

The figures underline the scale of the commission’s workload as Nigeria continues efforts to combat corruption, money laundering, fraud and other financial crimes.

Nigeria Continues Fight Against Corruption and Financial Crime

Corruption remains a major governance and economic challenge in Africa’s most populous country, with the EFCC playing a central role in investigating suspected financial crimes involving individuals, businesses, and public officials.

Internal misconduct can present a particular challenge for anti-corruption agencies because it risks undermining public confidence in the institutions responsible for enforcing accountability.

Olukoyede said the EFCC must therefore apply the standards it demands from others to its own personnel.

The dismissal of more than 40 staff members, alongside ongoing prosecutions, represents an attempt by the commission to demonstrate that its anti-corruption campaign extends to its own officers.

With the EFCC reporting more than N1.23 trillion in recoveries and thousands of convictions since October 2023, the agency’s ability to maintain internal accountability will remain an important measure of the credibility of Nigeria’s fight against corruption.