A bill proposing an amendment to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, to ensure greater institutional autonomy for the anti-corruption body, has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Plateau State representative Yusuf Gagdi, was taken up for discussion during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill seeks to remove political interference in the EFCC’s operations and bring the Commission’s framework in line with international anti-corruption standards.
While presenting the general principles of the bill during a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Gagdi explained that the amendment is intended to modernise the EFCC’s governing law and enable it to effectively tackle evolving forms of financial and economic crimes in Nigeria.
He pointed out that since the EFCC Act came into force in 2004, financial crimes have expanded to cover cybercrime, cryptocurrency manipulation, illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and money laundering through real estate.
Under the current law, the President can remove the EFCC Chairman without seeking approval from the National Assembly.
“The EFCC operates under outdated provisions that do not adequately address these new realities. Furthermore, the existing Act does not provide sufficient guarantees for the independence of the Commission, exposing it to external influence and political interference,” Gagdi said.
One of the major amendments proposed in the bill is to limit the President’s power to dismiss the EFCC Chairman, which the current Act allows at the President’s discretion.
Section 3(2) of the EFCC Act, 2004, states: “A member of the Commission may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct, or if the President is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office.”
According to Gagdi, the proposed amendment would require that any removal of the EFCC Chairman be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it becomes effective.
He stressed that the amendment, if passed, would help rebuild citizens’ trust in the EFCC.
“The bill presents a decisive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. It seeks to ensure that the EFCC operates as an independent, professional, and transparent institution that is responsive to modern financial crime realities.
“This amendment will not only strengthen Nigeria’s global reputation but also promote good governance, economic stability, and public confidence in the fight against corruption,” he added.
Contributing to the debate, Abia legislator and Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Ginger Onwusibe, said the amendment was long overdue, as many modern financial crimes were not included in the original Act.
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