Magu Effect? House of Reps Seek to Remove Power to Appoint EFCC Chairman from the President
In a daring move during a plenary session at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the lawmakers of the Federal House of Representatives bid to insulate the EFCC from the influence of the Presidency.
The House of Representatives moved on Wednesday to strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to fight corruption by proposing fresh amendments to the EFCC Act, 2004, Punch newspaper reports.
The federal lawmakers among others, want to insulate the anti-graft agency from the influence of the Presidency, 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, Yakubu Dogara, in Abuja.
The bills were co-sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Kayode Oladele; Bassey Ewa; Oladipupo Olatunde; and Bede Ucehenna-Eke.
One of the key amendments seeks to remove the power of appointing the chairman of the EFCC from the President, to be vested directly in the hands of Nigerians.
Under the extant provisions, the President appoints the chairman and forwards the name to the Senate for approval.
But, in the new proposal, which the House described as “more stringent” in appointing or removing the chairman, members of the public are to appoint the commission’s chairman.
Leading the debate on the proposal, 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.
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