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By Akeem Atoyebi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is again in the news for the wrong reason. This time, the anti- graft agency is in the twilight of its life , battling image problem.
The new oil in the agency’s ointment is the roiling scandal brewing after a significant amount of cash and valuables literally developed wings and flew away from its Lagos Zonal Command.
According to PRNigeria, about between $350,000 and $400,000 is reported missing, along with expensive jewellery and other high-value items.
This ugly incident comes in the wake of the dismissals by the EFCC of 27 officials for misconduct and fraudulent activities, raising concerns about accountability and oversight within the agency.
The recent sacking of several officials was in line with the recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, which were ratified by Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
This development is weighty given that it comes as the EFCC is looking into the disappearance of the funds and grappling with the challenge of restoring public trust.
As an agency fighting sleaze and battling financial crimes, the EFCC is under intense examination for alleged weaknesses in its internal controls, which have ignited concerns about its effectiveness in preventing corruption within its own ranks.
On the issue, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Mr Dele Oyewale neither confirmed nor denied the story but referred reporters to a report published on Wednesday, in which the EFCC made public the arrest and detention of 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over allegations of theft.
The anti-corruption agency in the statement said the officers, who were taken into custody last week on the directives of the Chairman of the agency, Ola Olukoyede, were made to answer questions in respect of the theft of some operational items that they could not account for.
According to the EFCC, investigators are making headway with the probe and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.
“In its continuing efforts to sweep the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, clean of corrupt tendencies, 10 officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are being detained over investigation of some missing items involving them.
“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.
“Investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes,” the statement read.
