The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed 27 officers for engaging in fraudulent activities and misconduct in 2024.

The commission made the announcement in a statement on Monday, signed by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity.

The EFCC reiterated its firm stance against corruption within its ranks, emphasizing that all allegations against its staff would be thoroughly investigated.

Oyewale stated that the officers were dismissed following the recommendations of the EFCC’s Staff Disciplinary Committee and the approval of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede, in his statement, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, stressing that no officer, regardless of rank, would be spared from disciplinary action if found guilty of misconduct.

He further addressed a specific case involving a $400,000 claim made by an unidentified individual, accusing a Sectional Head of the EFCC.

The commission assured the public that the claim would be investigated thoroughly.

In the statement, Oyewale also alerted the public to the activities of impersonators and extortionists who have been using Olukoyede’s name to exploit high-profile suspects under EFCC investigation.

He highlighted the case of Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, two individuals recently charged in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for attempting to extort $1 million from former Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Kaka.

The duo allegedly demanded the money in exchange for offering him a “soft landing” in a non-existent investigation.

Olukoyede emphasized that he remains committed to maintaining his integrity, and urged the public to report any such fraudulent activities involving impersonators or blackmailers.

Additionally, the EFCC warned of efforts by some individuals to blackmail its officers.

The Commission pointed out that suspects facing investigation who have failed to bribe investigators often resort to blackmail, but emphasized that such tactics would not distract the Commission from its work.

The EFCC urged the public to remain vigilant and report any such attempts to undermine its work.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed as false reports that Ayomide Adeleye, an awaiting trial inmate accused of kidnapping and murder, has been released from custody.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Deputy Controller of Corrections Umar Abubakar, confirmed that Adeleye, 23, is still being held at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos.

Abubakar explained that Adeleye, who has Custody Number S-1995/24, was remanded on September 26, 2024, for the murder of Christianah Idowu, a 300-Level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and the offence of kidnapping.

Adeleye was subsequently brought to court on December 16, 2024, where the magistrate ordered that he remain in custody while awaiting advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Abubakar emphasized that the inmate is still in NCoS custody at the MSCC in Lagos, as per the court’s directive, countering the misleading claims circulating.

He also clarified that another inmate with a similar name, who was admitted to the MSCC on March 6, 2024, for a theft offence, had been discharged by court order on April 14, 2024.

Abubakar condemned the erroneous reports, attributing them to irresponsible journalism and urging the public to disregard them.

He stressed that these reports were designed to tarnish the reputation of the NCoS.

Adeleye, a 200-Level Philosophy student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, had confessed in early September to the murder of Christianah Idowu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 13 to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by detained singer Darlington Achakpo, better known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The court set the date after Speed Darlington’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to allow the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, time to review and respond to the processes served in court.

Justice Musa Liman had previously issued a ruling on December 23, 2024, ordering the I-G to either charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.

The judge adjourned the case until January 6 for the hearing of the substantive application.

Speed Darlington, 39, was allegedly arrested by the police over charges of “defamation and cyberstalking” regarding a dispute with popular musician Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu.

He was released on bail on October 8, 2024. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju claimed that Speed Darlington was detained after a petition from Burna Boy, and was later moved to Abuja.

At Monday’s hearing, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled to hear the originating motion for enforcing Speed Darlington’s fundamental rights.

Although Audu claimed he had not yet been served with the documents, the court confirmed that the police had been duly served. The judge instructed Marshal to hand over a copy of the application to Audu in court.

When asked if Speed Darlington had been released, Marshal responded negatively. Audu explained that a criminal charge had already been filed against Speed Darlington before the singer filed the motion for his release.

He mentioned that the singer had been granted administrative bail but allegedly jumped bail. Audu further stated that a criminal case against Speed Darlington was scheduled for January 15 before Justice Ekerete Akpan.

Marshal asked the court to order the police to release Speed Darlington to him pending his arraignment, but Audu opposed the application.

Justice Liman acknowledged that the police were not in deliberate disobedience to the court order and advised Audu to ensure that Speed Darlington is released to Marshal, who had committed to producing him in court.

“I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge added, before adjourning the case to January 13 for the hearing of the substantive matter.

In his fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington seeks a declaration that his arrest and detention violated his rights under the 1999 Constitution.

He also seeks an order for his immediate and unconditional release from detention, or an order compelling the I-G to produce him before the court.

The singer is also demanding N300 million in damages for his unlawful detention.

In an affidavit deposed by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in the law firm, it was alleged that Speed Darlington was first arrested on October 4, 2024, for allegedly defaming Burna Boy.

He was reportedly held for five days without being formally charged and subjected to inhumane conditions.

The affidavit further claims that on November 27, 2024, he was arrested again for allegedly jumping administrative bail despite notifying the police of his medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel for a performance.

Eyisi argued that the continuous detention of Speed Darlington without arraignment violated his constitutional rights, emphasizing his role as the “breadwinner in his family.”