Inside the EFCC Scandal: How Corruption and Stolen Assets Are Rocking Nigeria’s Anti-Graft Agency

By Achimi Muktar

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agency, has found itself in the eye of a storm as scandals involving theft by its operatives unravel. The very institution tasked with rooting out corruption is battling allegations of misconduct, raising questions about its credibility and effectiveness.

Reports indicate that operatives have pilfered recovered assets, including cash, gold bars, and jewelry. In 2024 alone, 27 EFCC officers were dismissed for fraudulent activities. Among the recent revelations, operatives from the Lagos Zonal Command are under investigation for the disappearance of gold bars worth over ₦1 billion and up to $400,000 in cash.

The situation worsened on January 8, 2025, when 10 Lagos officers were detained over missing operational items. Just days later, a fresh scandal emerged in the Kaduna Zonal Office, where an officer allegedly stole $30,000 and other exhibits.

A high-ranking security source blames the thefts on poverty, rising living costs, and lax internal controls. “Allowing unchecked access to high-value exhibits is tempting and unprofessional,” the source explained.

Experts suggest that assets such as cash and valuables should be secured in bank vaults. When stored on EFCC premises, access should require multiple layers of authorization, including the simultaneous presence of at least three trusted officials.

The implications of these thefts extend beyond the EFCC. What happens if suspects win court cases and demand the return of stolen items? This would spark national embarrassment and undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.

A senior EFCC official admitted the situation was damaging, saying, “It’s giving us a bad name. Some officers said the temptation was too much. This is embarrassing for the agency.”

The EFCC is also facing backlash over its controversial night operations. The death of Assistant Superintendent Aminu Salisu during a midnight raid in Anambra State has reignited debates about the agency’s operational tactics. Critics have labeled the raids as heavy-handed, questioning their legality and effectiveness.

Celebrities like rapper Skales have shared harrowing encounters with EFCC operatives, accusing them of invading homes unannounced and using excessive force.

Civil society groups and experts are urging a systemic overhaul of the EFCC. Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), described the situation as “a betrayal of public trust.” He emphasized the need for internal cleansing and stricter oversight.

Professor Nnamdi Aduba, a former board member of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, advocated appointing external experts to reform the EFCC, citing weak internal controls and political interference.

The agency has launched an audit of all recovered assets and restricted access to exhibit rooms. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that these measures are part of a broader internal cleansing effort. “The chairman is determined to bring integrity and accountability to the commission,” he said.

However, Oyewale dismissed claims that poor welfare was to blame, insisting, “Poverty is no justification for fraudulent practices. Corruption is simply fighting back.”

The EFCC’s woes extend beyond internal thefts. Allegations of bribery, human rights abuses, and operational misconduct threaten to erode public trust in the institution. Security experts warn that unchecked corruption within the agency could undermine Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption agenda.

For an agency designed to fight graft, these scandals represent a critical failure. Without swift reforms, the EFCC risks losing its credibility and, ultimately, its mandate.

The scandals within the EFCC are a stark reminder that even watchdogs need oversight. As Nigerians demand accountability, the agency must confront its internal demons to restore its battered reputation.