In Lagos, ten Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have been apprehended for allegedly stealing jewelry and monetary exhibits worth N600 million.
The shocking event had no fewer than 10 officers arrested in connection with the disappearance of operational items.
The exhibits includes jewelry and cash valued at over N600 million from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Lagos.
The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for.
The EFCC says, “Investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.”
While the EFCC did not mention the names of the officers involved in the alleged theft or any further details, it was gathered that between $350,000 and $400,000 has reportedly gone missing, along with expensive jewelry and other high-value items.
This troubling news follows closely behind the dismissal of 27 EFCC officers for misconduct and fraudulent behavior.
These officers were fired after a review by the EFCC’s Staff Disciplinary Committee, and the decision was approved by the commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The dismissals have raised questions about the agency’s oversight and accountability, especially in light of the latest incident
Although the EFCC has launched an investigation into the missing funds and valuables, the agency is now under intense scrutiny.
Known for its role in tackling financial crimes in Nigeria, the EFCC now faces criticism for potential weaknesses in its internal control systems.
As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comments on this latest debacle have been unsuccessful.
As the investigation continues, questions are being raised about the steps the EFCC will take to prevent such incidents in the future and restore public trust in its ability to fight corruption.
This scandal is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges the agency faces in maintaining its integrity and credibility in the fight against financial crimes
