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Thursday, January 9, 2025

10 EFCC officers detained over alleged theft

10 staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been detained.

They are officers from the Lagos Zonal Command, and are being held in custody for alleged involvement in the theft of operational items.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the commission confirmed that its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, ordered the arrests after an internal investigation uncovered irregularities.

“The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for,” the statement read.

This move forms part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption within its ranks and reinforce accountability.

The detention of the 10 officers adds to a series of reformative actions taken by the EFCC under Mr. Olukoyede’s leadership. Earlier, on January 6, the commission announced the dismissal of 27 staff members for misconduct. Similarly, in November 2024, two corrupt officers were dismissed following internal reviews.

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However, critics have questioned the commission’s transparency, especially concerning its reluctance to reveal the identities of dismissed officials. This practice contrasts with the National Judicial Council (NJC), which routinely discloses the outcomes of its disciplinary measures, including the names of judges found guilty of misconduct.

In December 2024, the EFCC faced backlash for failing to disclose the owner of a 150,500-square-metre Abuja estate with 753 duplex units, forfeited to the federal government. The lack of transparency drew widespread public criticism, but the commission defended its approach.

Progress in the Investigation

In its Wednesday statement, the EFCC assured the public that investigations were progressing. Officials found guilty of theft will face disciplinary actions.

“The EFCC is committed to cleansing itself of any corruption tendencies and upholding the highest ethical standards,” the statement concluded.

Theresa Arike
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