The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been heavily scrutinised after some of its operatives stole exhibits.
Saturday PUNCH reports that some agency officials had been dismissed while others were being investigated for fraud and theft of recovered assets, including cash and gold bars.
No fewer than 27 commission officers were reportedly dismissed for misconduct and fraudulent activities in 2024.
In a statement on January 6, 2025, agency spokesman Dele Oyewale indicated that the EFCC was investigating “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff member of the EFCC against a sectional head.”
Two days later, 10 officers from the Lagos zonal command were detained over the theft of operational items.
The detained officers are said to be answering questions regarding their inability to account for certain missing operational items under their watch.
A security source disclosed that the missing items included gold bars valued at over N1bn and jewellery, as well as between $350,000 and $400,000.
While the news of the corrupt officers had yet to fade, another scandal was uncovered at the commission’s Kaduna Zonal Office on Wednesday.
An officer from the zone, identified as Polycarp, allegedly stole over $30,000 and other valuable exhibits.
The EFCC has remained silent on the Kaduna incident, contributing to the array of corrupt practices among its staff members.
Why EFCC operatives are stealing exhibits
A highly credible security source, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, described the theft of exhibits as “highly disappointing.”
The source blamed the trend on prevailing poverty and the skyrocketing cost of living, adding that easy access to the exhibits made the theft inevitable.
He noted that mechanisms should have been instituted to prevent such incidents.
According to him, allowing unchecked access to a place where exhibits like dollars and gold bars are stored could be a serious temptation.
The source stated, “Many of them are exposed and understand the value of money and the worth of items kept in their custody. It is unprofessional not to have mechanisms to ensure safety and accountability.”
He explained that high-value items should ordinarily be deposited in bank vaults for safekeeping.
However, if they must remain on EFCC premises, they should be stored in a well-secured location with multiple layers of security measures.
“If the items must be kept in the office, at least three credible officials, who will be held accountable should have access. To access the exhibit room, all three officials must be present simultaneously, each holding a different key to unlock the secured area. One or two of them should not be able to access the place without the others being present,” he added.
On punitive measures for officials caught engaging in such acts, the source said, “First, outright dismissal, followed by prosecution. Such officers should be treated like the original suspects or even face harsher punishments to serve as a deterrent.”
