“A Bill for an Act to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act to provide for quick recovery procedure for stolen assets; implement active pursuit of cases; build capacity and improve trust and cooperation with foreign counterparts; ensure adequate funding of the commission and establish the EFCC Crimes Court and for other related matters” has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
Leading the debate at the plenary session of Wednesday, March 15th 2017, Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa (PDP: Cross River) who is the sponsor of the bill stated that it seeks to strengthen the Commission and establish a Crimes Court for expeditious dispensation of justice. Hon. Ewa mentioned that the bill would provide for:
- More stringent ways of removing the Chairman and member(s) of the Commission;
- Establishing an asset confiscation and recovery unit;
- A Financial Investigation Unit and;
- An increase in penalty for prison sentences.
He stated that the court would handle all cases emanating from investigations bordering on financial crimes carried out by the Commission. He further explained that the court shall have powers to exercise its jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court or tribunal on economic and financial crimes matters.
In addition, Hon. Ewa explained that its implementation would address the numerous challenges faced by the Commission. The Bill has been referred to the House Committee on Anti-Corruption for further legislative input.
