Attempt To Amend EFCC Law Meant To Undermine Its Effectiveness

Nigeria's anti-graft agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused some powerful people plotting to whittle down the power of the commission by sponsoring an amendment to its enabling law.

According to the acting chairman of the commission Ibrahim Magu there was a plot to amend the agency’s enabling Act to reduce its powers.
He said although some corrupt elements were behind the plot to whittle down the powers of EFCC as a way of fighting back
There was a report that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation plans to take over the assets recovery and management functions of the country's anti-graft agencies.
However, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has debunked the claimed, saying there was no plan to reduce the asset recovery powers of the EFCC.
Malami said the anti-graft agencies would retain their powers to seize assets from corrupt suspects.
The minister made the clarifications in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.
Magu in his presentation at a press briefing said asset recovery is key in denying the corrupt the enjoyment of the proceeds of their crimes.
He said the activities of the EFCC have also helped to restore the confidence of international investors in the economy
Magu, who made his position known at Anti-corruption Townhall meeting in Abuja, said all that is needed to fight corruption is “a combination of guts, integrity and determination.”
“For me, this is a moment to share experiences from my four-year tour of duty at the helm of the EFCC, leading the commission’s charge against all forms of corruption in Nigeria.
“It is true that corruption is the greatest problem holding back our country from fulfilling its potentials. It is entrenched in all sectors. But, in the last four years, the EFCC, backed by the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari, has, through a combination of enforcement and preventive measures, proving that this monster can be tamed.
“All that is needed is a combination of guts, integrity and determination.
“Fighting corruption comes with its peculiar challenges. The corrupt are not going to fold their hands while you retrieve what they had stolen. They would fight back. This has come in the form of:
•sponsored media attacks and even violent attacks against operatives of the Commission. My farmhouse in Nasarawa state was attacked;
•sponsorship of unwarranted amendment of EFCC laws, to reduce its powers and undermine the effectiveness of the agency; and
undermining and distracting the leadership of the commission.
The Acting EFCC chairman spoke on other inhibitions against the anti-graft war.
“The other challenges are: not enough funding support for expanding activities of the commission, especially the huge cost of investigation and prosecution of cases.
“Lack of progress in some high profile corruption cases due to the antics of defence lawyers, especially some senior advocates.
“Lack of cooperation by some institutions in both public and private sectors that should be working side – by – side with the Commission in the fight against corruption.
“Lack of cooperation by some foreign countries in the recovery of stolen assets stashed abroad.
“Insufficient manpower to cope with the ever-increasing cases of corruption and economic crimes and inadequate accommodation for staff in zonal offices
“I wish to reiterate that, no one agency can fight the ills of corruption alone, as such, we must all work together as hunters of fraud and corruption to salvage our country from the corrupt few.”
On the controversy surrounding the seizure of properties, Magu said: “Asset recovery is key in denying the corrupt the enjoyment of the proceeds of his/her crime.
“It also allows the country to channel recovered funds into national development. Within this period, the Commission has recovered several hundreds of billions of Naira which are in various categories of forfeitures.
“Some of these funds were recovered for third party individuals, companies, as well as government agencies such as NNPC, FIRs, AMCON and also state governments. Several thousand of movable and immovable properties have been recovered within the period. These are also subject of either interim or final forfeiture orders.”