The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it has detained 10 officers over the alleged theft of operational items they could not account for.
In a statement on Wednesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the arrests followed directives from the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
While the statement was silent on what the officers allegedly stole, findings by our correspondent revealed that the officers allegedly broke into EFCC’s exhibit room, stealing foreign currency and gold items.
A source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for lack of authorisation, said, “The operatives broke into the exhibit room and stole foreign currency, gold, and other exhibits.”
The development comes just days after the EFCC disclosed the dismissal of 27 personnel for involvement in fraudulent activities.
In the Wednesday statement, the EFCC’s spokesman, Oyewale, said the detention of 10 officers for alleged items theft was “part of ongoing efforts to rid the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of corrupt practices.”
“Ten officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC are currently being detained in connection with the investigation of some missing operational items involving them.
“These officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, are being questioned over the theft of items they could not account for.
“Investigators are making significant progress, and those found guilty will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes,” Oyewale said.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Journalists Against Corruption, has commended the anti-graft agency over the dismissal of 27 of its officials for fraudulent activities and misconduct.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Project Coordinator of JAC, Kehinde Osifisan, noted that this was the first time since the agency’s establishment that such decisive action had been taken against erring officers.
He said, “Since its inception in 2002, this is the first time that the commission will sack 27 members of staff in one fell swoop for fraudulent activities and misconduct.
“It speaks to the commitment of the Ola Olukoyede-led management to rid the commission of bad eggs. Indeed, a classic case of matching words with actions,” Osifisan said.
The group commended the leadership of the EFCC and urged it not to rest on its oars as the commission and its officials were expected to live above board in the fight against corruption.
“We do hope that this singular action will serve as a check on other staff of the commission and make them eschew any form of fraudulent act or misconduct.”
By Solomon Odeniyi and Gbenga Oloniniran @ThePUNCH
