In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) finds itself at the center of a major scandal. Over $350,000 in cash, expensive jewellery, and other high-value items have reportedly vanished from the agency’s Lagos Zonal Command, plunging the EFCC into a credibility crisis.
Sources revealed to PRNigeria that the stolen items, worth between $350,000 and $400,000, were operational items under the agency’s custody. The incident has triggered public outrage, especially as the EFCC positions itself as Nigeria’s vanguard in the fight against corruption.
This revelation comes hot on the heels of a sweeping dismissal of 27 EFCC officials for misconduct and fraudulent activities. The sacking, reportedly approved by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede following recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, was seen as a bold move to sanitize the agency. However, this latest development raises troubling questions about the internal mechanisms meant to uphold integrity within the commission.
The missing cash and valuables have put the spotlight on the EFCC’s internal controls, raising doubts about its ability to prevent corruption within its own ranks. As an agency tasked with combating financial crimes, the scandal has left many questioning whether it is capable of practicing the transparency and accountability it preaches.
Speaking to reporters, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to confirm or deny the reported theft. Instead, he referred inquiries to an official statement released earlier, which confirmed the detention of 10 EFCC officers from the Lagos Zonal Command over allegations of theft.
According to the statement, the officers were arrested last week on the orders of Chairman Ola Olukoyede. The agency disclosed that the detained officers were under investigation for the disappearance of operational items they could not account for, including cash and valuables.
“The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for,” the statement read.
The EFCC assured the public that investigators were making significant progress and that any officer found culpable would face stringent internal disciplinary actions. The agency reiterated its commitment to rooting out corruption within its own ranks to restore public trust.
This incident has added to the EFCC’s growing list of controversies, fueling public skepticism about its credibility. Critics argue that the agency, which is supposed to serve as a symbol of accountability, is struggling with internal corruption on a scale that undermines its mandate.
While the detention of the implicated officers signals a willingness to act decisively, experts say this scandal could have long-lasting implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. For an agency that has prided itself on uncovering illicit activities, this theft from within its own ranks is a stark reminder of the challenges it faces.
As investigations continue, Nigerians await concrete actions, not just promises, from the EFCC to address these systemic issues. The public’s patience, however, is wearing thin, as the very institution tasked with fighting corruption appears to be battling its own internal demons.
Will this scandal prompt a thorough overhaul of the EFCC, or will it be yet another chapter in the agency’s tainted history? Only time will tell.
PIONEER NEWS 