In a decisive move to rid itself of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024 for offences related to fraudulent activities and misconduct.

The dismissal, based on the recommendations of the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The EFCC announced the development in a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, on. Monday.

The Commission emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for corruption within its ranks and reiterated that all allegations against staff members would be thoroughly investigated.

Oyewale stated, ?The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

?Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.

?Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.

?The Commission also wishes to alert the public of the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.

?Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka, and demanding $1 million from him for ?Olukoyede to give him soft landing? on a non-existing investigation.

?Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.

?Additionally, the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means. Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw. Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention.? (Vanguard)

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