Two fake EFCC officers demand $1m bribe from ex-NPA MD

Two fake EFCC officers demand $1m bribe from ex-NPA MD 

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has exposed two impostors claiming to be officers of the anti-graft agency demanding $1 million bribe from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko.

The pair were said to have asked for the money in order to secure a “soft landing” for the ex-NPA MD in a non-existent investigation.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement and revealed names of the two members of the syndicate as Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim.

He said the suspects had been arrested and were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The commission noted that similar criminal elements were still at large and urged members of the public to report such individuals.

“The commission also wishes to alert the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its executive chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC,” the statement read.

Oyewale emphasised that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayode, is a man of integrity who could not be influenced by monetary offers.

“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to report such disreputable elements to the commission.”

The anti-graft agency also said it was investigating “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff (member) of the EFCC against a sectional head.”

Meanwhile, the agency said it dismissed 27 of its officers last year for misconduct and fraudulent activities.

He said the dismissal was based on recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and ratified by the EFCC chairman

“In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024,” Oyewale said.

“Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.”

The statement quoted the EFCC chairman as reaffirming the commission’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

He also said all allegations against EFCC staff members would be thoroughly investigated.