The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed two of its officials for alleged corruption.
Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed this on Monday during the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organized by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.
Olukoyede emphasized that the EFCC would not only dismiss corrupt personnel but also prosecute them, stressing that integrity within the agency is non-negotiable.
“You can’t be fighting corruption and your hands are dirty. He who comes to equity must have clean hands,” he stated.
The dismissed officials were reportedly found guilty of extortion and other corrupt practices. “We are preparing the case files of some of the people we have dismissed,” Olukoyede said. He urged Nigerians to report any misconduct by EFCC staff, promising swift justice.
The EFCC chairman also announced a major reform in the agency’s prosecution approach, declaring the end of excessively long charge sheets against suspects. According to Olukoyede, charges should now be capped at 15 counts and must be “water-tight” to ensure efficient and effective prosecution.
“The era of 100-count, 150-count, or 85-count charges is gone forever in the EFCC,” he said. He explained that cases would not proceed to court unless thoroughly vetted. “I vet case files myself, particularly high-profile cases. We will look at them, compare with the proof of evidence, and ensure they are strong before proceeding to court,” Olukoyede added.
Olukoyede also highlighted broader reforms within the agency, including a review of its arrest and detention policies. He noted that investigations can be thorough without unnecessary detentions, citing instances where entire ministries were probed without overnight arrests.
“We have also equipped all our interrogation rooms in compliance with court judgments,” he said, emphasizing the EFCC’s commitment to the rule of law.
Reflecting on his personal experience, Olukoyede revealed that he was once subjected to a two-year investigation during his tenure as EFCC secretary, which shaped his perspective on the agency’s operations. He pledged to lead with transparency and welcomed constructive criticism.
“My objective is to use this mandate to stimulate the economy and uphold the rule of law,” he said. “Let’s build institutions responsibly instead of tearing them down.”
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