The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is once again at the center of controversy as reports emerge that an officer assigned to its Kaduna Zonal Office, entrusted with the safekeeping of exhibits, has allegedly disappeared along with over $30,000 and other valuable items.
This latest development comes on the heels of a recent scandal in the agency’s Lagos office, where 10 officers were detained for their failure to account for missing operational items. While the EFCC has yet to release an official statement detailing the extent of the missing items, investigative findings by Daily Nigerian suggest that assets worth billions of naira, including gold bars valued at over ₦1 billion, $180,000 in cash, and £140,000, were unaccounted for in Lagos.
In the Kaduna incident, the suspect, identified only as Polycarp, reportedly vanished after failing to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the disappearance of the $30,000. According to Daily Nigerian, the officer disappeared under suspicious circumstances immediately after an audit of the exhibit room was ordered by the zonal director, Benedict Ubi.
Sources within the agency, who requested anonymity, disclosed that Polycarp excused himself to use the restroom shortly after the audit directive was issued, but subsequently became unreachable as all his phone lines were switched off.
“This is just the preliminary audit focusing on foreign currency exhibits. There is a strong possibility that further scrutiny could reveal additional discrepancies,” a source within the commission stated.
In response to the situation, the EFCC has reportedly launched a manhunt to track down the fleeing officer. Authorities are said to be working closely with security agencies to ensure he is brought to justice and to recover the stolen assets.
The recurring cases of internal theft have raised concerns about accountability and oversight within the anti-graft agency. Just weeks ago, the EFCC arrested several of its officers over the disappearance of valuable properties, including gold bars, foreign currency, and other high-value items. This pattern of misconduct has prompted calls for comprehensive reforms and stricter internal controls to prevent future incidents.
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As public confidence in the EFCC continues to waver, stakeholders are urging the agency to adopt more stringent measures to safeguard sensitive exhibits and hold culpable officers accountable. Experts emphasize that restoring credibility within the commission is crucial to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
Further updates are expected as the investigation into the missing exhibits in Kaduna unfolds.
