The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to curtail the president’s power to remove the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without approval from the National Assembly.
The bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and for Related Matters (HB. 2493), was sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Gagdi. It aims to strengthen the EFCC’s independence, shield it from political interference, and align its operations with international anti-corruption standards.
Leading the debate, Gagdi noted that since the EFCC Act was enacted in 2004, the landscape of financial crimes has evolved to include cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and real estate-based money laundering. He said the proposed amendment seeks to modernize the commission’s legal framework and make it more effective in addressing emerging threats.
Gagdi argued that the current law leaves the EFCC vulnerable to external influence, as it grants the president unilateral power to remove its chairman. The amendment, he said, would require a two-thirds majority approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives before such removal could take effect.
“This change will guarantee the EFCC’s independence, enhance transparency, and rebuild public trust,” he said, adding that the reform represents a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.
According to Gagdi, the amendment will help the commission operate as a modern, professional, and autonomous institution, boosting Nigeria’s global reputation and promoting good governance, economic stability, and public confidence in the nation’s anti-corruption efforts.
