Reps move to curb president’s powers over EFCC chairman

The House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill seeking to curtail the president’s unilateral power to remove the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a move aimed at strengthening the agency’s independence and insulating it from political interference.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau), successfully passed second reading on the House floor. It seeks to amend the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, by introducing a provision that requires National Assembly approval before any EFCC chairman can be dismissed from office.

Gagdi explained during his lead debate that the bill was designed to align Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework with international best practices and ensure the EFCC functions as an autonomous institution rather than one subject to executive influence.

He said one of the key proposed amendments would modify the existing Section 3(2) of the EFCC Act, which currently gives the president wide discretion to remove any member of the commission for “inability to discharge the functions of his office or for misconduct.”

The current section reads: “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.”

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Gagdi, however, argued that such sweeping power is inconsistent with democratic accountability and global anti-corruption standards. Under the new proposal, the removal of the EFCC chairman would only take effect after receiving two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

According to him, this amendment will help restore public trust in the EFCC, promote transparency in its operations, and ensure the commission serves the nation rather than any administration.

“The proposed reforms would restore public confidence, enhance transparency, and ensure the EFCC operates as a professional and independent body responsive to modern realities,” Gagdi said.

The bill has now been referred to the relevant House committees for further consideration before proceeding to the next legislative stage.

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