A Bill seeking to make the removal of members and Chairman of the Commission more stringent and also to set up a special court for the EFCC yesterday passed Second Reading on the floor of the House.
The Bill titled, ‘Economic and Financial Crimes Act Amendment Bill and the Establishment of an Economic and Financial Crimes Court 2016’, was sponsored by Hon Bassey Ewa and three others.
According to the Bill, if the court is established, it shall have divisions in the six geo-political zones and handle all cases of financial crimes emanating from investigations by the EFCC.
It is expected to conclude all corruption cases within 180 days.
The court is to consist of a judge, a retired permanent secretary with not less than 15 years’ cognate experience on financial and procurement matters and a forensic financial expert with not less than 17 years’ cognate experience.
The proposed amendment provides that the anti-graft agency shall get 0.1 per cent of the total value of contracts awarded by the federal government, 0.1 per cent of the internally generated revenue of the federal government, as well as 0.1 per cent of looted fund recovered by it.
Leading debate on the Bill, Hon Ewa said there is a need to amend the EFCC Act to checkmate the control of the agency by the Executive arm of government, thereby making it more efficient.
According to him, if the amendment sails through, it will open up the EFCC, so that the appointment and removal of the leadership of agency shall no longer be the sole responsibility of the President.
He pointed out that the appointment and removal of the EFCC boss and members of the Commission shall be subject to a resolution of two/third of the members of the National Assembly.
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