A fresh controversy has erupted within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following allegations that a senior officer demanded a percentage of funds from a suspect in exchange for favourable treatment in an ongoing investigation.

The officer, identified as an Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE), is at the centre of a petition accusing him of extortion, abuse of office and several other forms of misconduct, raising new concerns about accountability within Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency.

The allegations were contained in a six-page petition submitted to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, by the Network for Justice Association of Nigeria (NJAN).

According to the petition, the officer allegedly sought a 10 per cent payoff from a suspect with the promise of securing what was described as a “soft landing” in a case under investigation.

The petition further portrayed the officer as a highly influential figure within the Commission and listed 21 separate allegations against him. Among the accusations are obstruction of justice, interference in ongoing investigations, unauthorised access to sensitive financial intelligence, extortion and the acquisition of wealth allegedly beyond his known sources of income.

The development comes at a time when the EFCC is facing increasing scrutiny over allegations of misconduct involving some of its personnel. It also follows reports of a separate probe involving a senior sectional head of the agency over an alleged $400,000 bribery scandal.

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The latest allegations are expected to test the Commission’s commitment to internal accountability as it continues efforts to strengthen public confidence in its anti-corruption mandate.

Under Olukoyede’s leadership, the EFCC has repeatedly stressed the importance of discipline and integrity among its operatives, arguing that the agency cannot effectively fight corruption while tolerating misconduct within its own ranks.

In recent months, the EFCC chairman has approved disciplinary measures, including sanctions and dismissals, against officers found culpable of fraud, abuse of office and other violations of the Commission’s code of conduct.

While the allegations against the senior officer are yet to be officially determined, the petition adds to growing pressure on the anti-graft agency to thoroughly investigate claims of wrongdoing within its ranks and ensure that any officer found culpable is held accountable.