Nigerian anticorruption agency sacks 40 staff over misconduct allegations

Five dismissed personnel are subject to criminal prosecution amid heightened scrutiny.

Nigeria’s anti‑corruption watchdog has sacked more than forty of its own employees for allegations of corruption and financial malpractice over the past three years.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the National Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), disclosed the dismissals during a Monday gathering that showcased the agency’s milestones.

Media reports state that five of those terminated workers are now under investigation, while the remaining positions are slated for legal action.

The EFCC, Nigeria’s primary law‑enforcement organ targeting graft, handles advanced‑fee fraud, money laundering and broader corruption cases. Under its mandate it has pursued politicians and public officials implicated in the misappropriation of public funds.

“During my tenure of two and a half years, I have repeatedly urged management to remove staff linked to corruption and financial misconduct,” Olukoyede told reporters in Abuja, a report by Vanguard clarifies.

He emphasized that integrity is non‑negotiable, stating, “Your hands must be clean to effectively combat corruption.”

A review of the agency’s performance reveals impressive results: 49,673 petitions were received, 39,615 cases investigated, 14,476 court filings initiated and 10,872 convictions secured between October 2023 and July 2026.

“These outcomes underscore a commitment to rigorous inquiry, resilient resolve and a prosecutorial strategy grounded in evidence,” the EFCC chairperson noted.

By the first half of 2026 alone the body logged 1,370 convictions out of 1,889 submissions, underscoring sustained legal impact across the department.

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