Nigeria’s primary anticorruption agency has dismissed more than 40 of its own employees over the past three years due to alleged corruption and financial misconduct, the agency’s chairman revealed. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), announced the figures during an event in the capital, Abuja, on Monday, highlighting the agency's ongoing efforts to maintain integrity within its ranks.

The EFCC is a key law enforcement body in Nigeria responsible for investigating financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and corruption. Its mandate includes pursuing cases against politicians and public officials accused of misappropriating state funds, making internal accountability a critical component of its operations.

According to local media reports citing Olukoyede's briefing, five of the dismissed staff members are currently facing prosecution, with legal proceedings being prepared for others. Olukoyede emphasized the importance of internal integrity, stating that those fighting corruption must themselves be free from corrupt practices.

During the same event, Olukoyede presented a report on the agency's achievements, detailing significant asset recoveries and a high conviction rate. He reported that the EFCC had recovered 1.23 trillion naira (approximately $923 million) and secured a 75 percent conviction rate over a specified period.

Between October 2023 and July 2026, the EFCC reportedly received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court, and secured 10,872 convictions. The first half of 2026 alone saw 1,370 convictions out of 1,889 filings, underscoring the agency's active prosecution efforts.

Olukoyede attributed these successes to the commission's diligence, resilience, and an evidence-based prosecutorial approach. The dismissals, while internal, signal a commitment to purging the organization of individuals whose actions undermine its core mission.

The revelations come as Nigeria continues to grapple with systemic corruption, making the EFCC's role and internal conduct subjects of significant public interest. The agency's ability to prosecute external offenders is often seen as intrinsically linked to its capacity to police its own ranks effectively.

Further details on the specific nature of the misconduct and the progress of prosecutions against the former staff are expected as cases move through the legal system. The agency has not provided individual names or further specifics on the allegations beyond general terms of corruption and financial malpractice.