Crime

EFCC in Crisis: $350,000 and Valuables Disappear Days After 27 Officials Fired for Fraud

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 9th, 2025.

EFCC in Crisis: $350,000 and Valuables Disappear Days After 27 Officials Fired for Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is embroiled in a significant controversy following the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of dollars and valuable assets from its Lagos Zonal Command.

Reliable sources informed PRNigeria that between $350,000 and $400,000 in cash, along with jewelry and other high-end items, have gone missing. This troubling incident comes just days after the EFCC dismissed 27 of its staff for fraudulent activities and misconduct, raising serious concerns about internal accountability and oversight within the agency.

The dismissals, which were confirmed on Monday, followed a report from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and were approved by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

With an investigation now underway to determine the whereabouts of the missing funds, the EFCC is facing growing scrutiny. The agency, long recognized as the leader in the fight against financial crimes in Nigeria, is now under pressure over potential failures in its internal control systems.

Attempts to contact the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comment have been unsuccessful, further fueling concerns about the agency’s transparency and its handling of the situation.

As the inquiry continues, questions remain about the steps the EFCC will take to prevent such incidents in the future and restore public confidence in its ability to combat corruption effectively. This scandal underscores the ongoing challenges the agency faces in maintaining integrity within Nigeria’s financial sector.