- The House of Representative is set to mend some of the EFCC act
- This will remove the power to appoint its chairman from the president
- This power will be bestowed to the people according to the bill
The House of Representative moved to make fresh amendments to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, 2004 among which is the removal of the power of the presidency to appoint the chairman of the anti-graft agency.
This is coming on Wednesday, March 15 just as the Senate rejected the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the EFCC for the second time.
The Punch reports that apart from the removal of power to nominate the EFCC chairman from President Muhammadu Buhari and subsequent presidents, it also plans to enhance its financial autonomy, prescribe tougher penalties for stealing public money and create a special court for speedy trial of cases.
Four consolidated bills seeking to further empower the commission, passed second reading at a session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, in Abuja and were co-sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Mr. Kayode Oladele; Mr. Bassey Ewa; Mr. Oladipupo Olatunde; and Mr. Bede Ucehenna-Eke.
This will remove the power of the president to nominate and send name of the EFCC chairman to the Senate and put this responsibility on the hands of the people.
Eaw said: Ewa explained, “This amendment will open up the EFCC so that the President will not be the sole person to either remove or appoint the chairman.
“In this new proposal, it will require a petition from the public to the National Assembly for a resolution.
“This resolution, when passed, will be forwarded to the President. Mr. President shall within one month, either accept the resolution or reject it.
“The National Assembly reserves the power to override his veto of the resolution.”
Ewa said this would prevent the president from removing the EFCC chairman if he was not comfortable with him anymore.
Meanwhile, Magu said that his rejection by the Nigerian Senate will not stop him from fighting corruption.
Speaking with some civil society organizations at the entrance of the Senate building after his screening session, Magu said the report against him by the Department of State Service will not also deter him from his passion to end corruption in Nigeria.
Magu said he has doubts on the authenticity of the report from the DSS indicting him of corrupt practices and lack of integrity to head the EFCC.
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