“EFCC in Crisis: Officers Fired, Investigated Over Theft of Recovered Assets”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is facing significant backlash after several of its operatives were implicated in stealing recovered assets, including cash and gold bars. In 2024 alone, at least 27 officers were dismissed for various fraudulent activities. These actions have put a spotlight on the integrity of the agency that’s tasked with combating financial crimes in Nigeria.
In early January 2025, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the commission was investigating claims of fraud, including a $400,000 allegation involving a sectional head. A few days later, 10 officers from the Lagos zonal command were detained after they were unable to account for operational items, including gold bars worth over N1bn and hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The latest scandal broke when an officer at the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Office, identified as Polycarp, allegedly stole over $30,000 and other valuables. Despite the mounting corruption cases, the EFCC has remained tight-lipped about the Kaduna incident, compounding concerns about the agency’s internal controls.
Why the Theft?
A high-ranking security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the thefts as deeply disappointing. The source blamed the trend on factors like widespread poverty and the temptation posed by easy access to high-value items such as gold and dollars. The lack of proper security measures at the EFCC’s exhibit rooms has made these thefts possible, the source explained.
Experts suggest that valuable items should either be kept in secure bank vaults or in EFCC premises under strict supervision, with multiple officials overseeing access. One proposal includes having at least three credible officers responsible for unlocking secure areas, making unauthorized access nearly impossible.
For those caught stealing, the source recommended harsh penalties, including immediate dismissal and prosecution, to serve as a deterrent to others within the agency.
Internal Audit and Reforms
The EFCC is undergoing an internal audit to address these issues. Chairman Ola Olukoyode has ordered a comprehensive review of recovered assets and the implementation of stricter surveillance measures in exhibit rooms. He emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability within the commission, vowing to remove “bad eggs.”
However, these efforts come amid growing public disillusionment, with some critics accusing the EFCC of being unable to manage its internal corruption. The Center for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has called for a thorough internal cleansing to restore public trust in the agency’s anti-corruption mission.
Furthermore, concerns about the EFCC’s operational tactics, including controversial night raids, have added fuel to the fire. Recently, one of the commission’s operatives, Aminu Salisu, was killed during a midnight operation in Anambra State, sparking further criticism of the agency’s methods. Legal experts have condemned these raids for lacking due process and called for greater accountability in the EFCC’s operations.
The Path Forward
In response to the growing concerns, security analysts have called for more rigorous background checks on EFCC personnel, as well as constant monitoring of their activities to prevent further corruption. They also recommended stronger oversight, including independent audits, and enhanced ethical training for operatives to ensure that the agency’s integrity remains intact.
The EFCC, once hailed as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, now faces a critical moment. With corruption allegations dogging its staff and controversial operational practices coming to light, the agency’s leadership will need to demonstrate swift action and transparency if it hopes to regain public trust.
