The Nigerian Senate has announced plans for a constitutional amendment to empower the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute military officers involved in corruption and financial crimes.
Senator Emmanuel Udende, chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, made this known on Monday during a committee visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. He noted that several EFCC challenges could be tackled through constitutional changes and budget adjustments.
Udende criticized the current requirement for military officers to face a court martial before EFCC prosecution, calling it a barrier that contradicts the EFCC Act. He suggested an amendment to grant the EFCC direct authority to investigate and prosecute military personnel involved in financial crimes.
Additionally, Udende praised the EFCC’s recent achievements under its current chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and indicated that the committee would work to increase the agency’s budget. He expressed satisfaction with the agency’s performance despite limited resources.
He also addressed public misconceptions about budget allocations, explaining that the budget draft proposed by the executive is finalized only after legislative review and approval.
In his address, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede requested legislative support in the fight against corruption, which he identified as a major factor hindering Nigeria’s progress. He noted that funds allocated for infrastructure often don’t yield value due to corruption, and he reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating corruption through strategic policies, adding that the EFCC had recovered substantial amounts of cash over the past year.