The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, has raised alarm against the proposed bill to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, act.
Recall that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami disclosed that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, had approved the establishment of Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency, to be charged with proper coordination of all recovered looted assets.
He also said that the FEC had approved transmission of a “Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency Bill,” to the National Assembly, NASS.
However, Sagay opined that the amendment would destroy Nigeria’s anti-corruption infrastructure, while alleging that those behind the amendment are representatives of corruption.
Sagay also alleged that the Minister has proclivity for aborting criminal cases in favour of major political and governmental figures.
“With all the above-established facts, the gravity of the proposed change becomes overwhelming.
“When in addition to all this, we recall the well-known proclivity of the Attorney-General for entering nolle procequi in favour of major political and governmental figures, this move to effectively scrap the EFCC becomes more alarming.
“We, therefore, call on the National Assembly and all Nigerians to vigorously reject this attempt to perpetrate a fraud on the nation by effectively scuttling the EFCC and shutting down Nigeria’s anti-corruption war,” the statement reads.
Sagay pointed out that the highlights of the proposed bill, include, “Repeal of the current EFCC Establishment Act which has been a spectacular success and has brought Nigeria into limelight as a major force against corruption.
“The replacement of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC with a Director-General who is effectively to be appointed by the Attorney-General.”
He said that this will eliminate the freedom currently enjoyed by the EFCC and replace it under the complete control of the Attorney-General.
