Reps seek to curb presidential powers over EFCC leadership
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, aimed at granting greater institutional independence to the anti-corruption agency.
The bill, sponsored by Plateau lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi, was considered during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Gagdi explained that the proposed amendment seeks to insulate the EFCC from political influence and align its operations with global anti-corruption standards. He noted that since the law’s enactment in 2004, the scope of financial crimes has expanded to include cybercrime, cryptocurrency manipulation, illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and real estate-related money laundering.
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He argued that the current law leaves the EFCC vulnerable to political interference, as it allows the President to remove the Commission’s Chairman without legislative approval.
One key provision in the proposed amendment would require a two-thirds majority vote from both the Senate and the House of Representatives before the EFCC Chairman can be removed from office.
“The EFCC operates under outdated provisions that do not adequately address modern realities,” Gagdi said. “This bill aims to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and restore public confidence in the Commission’s independence.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Ginger Onwusibe, also supported the bill, describing the reform as long overdue.
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The House subsequently passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the appropriate committee for further legislative action.
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