EFCC Officer Flees with $30,000 as Nigeria’s Anti-Graft Agency Faces Mounting Scandals

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agency, is embroiled in yet another controversy after an officer from its Kaduna Zonal Office allegedly absconded with over $30,000 and other valuable exhibits. This incident adds to the agency’s growing list of internal scandals, raising concerns about its credibility and operational integrity.

The officer, identified as Polycarp, reportedly fled during an audit ordered by the zonal director, Benedict Ubi. According to sources, Polycarp excused himself under the pretense of taking a break and subsequently disappeared, switching off all his phone lines. Preliminary findings from the audit suggest that additional discrepancies may emerge as investigations continue.

This is not the first time the EFCC has faced allegations of internal corruption. Earlier this month, ten officers from the Lagos Zonal Office were detained for allegedly stealing operational items. Reports indicate that the stolen items included gold bars valued at over ₦1 billion, $180,000, and £140,000. While the EFCC has refrained from commenting on the specifics, the incident underscores a troubling pattern of misconduct within the agency.

A History of Internal Scandals

The EFCC’s track record of internal corruption is well-documented. In 2019, an officer confessed to accepting a $20,000 bribe at Lagos’ Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Despite admitting to the crime, the officer was reinstated under the leadership of then-acting chairman Ibrahim Magu, with the incident kept out of public knowledge.

Similarly, in 2021, another officer was dismissed after a leaked audio recording revealed him advising suspects on how to unfreeze their accounts and evade prosecution. At the time, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren described the officer as a “corrupt fifth columnist” who had violated the agency’s protocols.

In an effort to address misconduct, the EFCC announced the dismissal of 27 officers on January 6, 2025, citing various fraudulent activities and breaches of trust. However, insiders revealed that this figure represents all dismissals for fraud since the agency’s inception in 2003, rather than a recent crackdown as suggested.

Mounting Criticism

The latest scandal comes amid criticism of the EFCC’s controversial night raids, which have led to tragic outcomes, including the death of one of its operatives. Despite a directive banning these high-risk operations, the practice continues, raising questions about the agency’s adherence to internal protocols and the safety of its personnel.

The EFCC’s credibility has also been called into question following reports of an invasion of UrbanRadio94.5FM and the alleged abduction of its hosts. The agency has declined to comment on the incident, further fueling public skepticism about its transparency and accountability.

Public Confidence in Jeopardy

The recurring scandals within the EFCC have eroded public confidence in the agency’s ability to combat corruption effectively. Critics argue that internal corruption undermines its mission and raises concerns about the management of recovered assets.

As investigations into the Kaduna incident continue, the EFCC faces mounting pressure to reform its operations and restore its tarnished reputation. For an agency tasked with upholding integrity, the need for transparency and accountability has never been more urgent.