Senate moves to stop appointment of EFCC chair from outside

The Senate yesterday passed for second reading a bill to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act to restrict non-EFCC staff from heading the commission. 

The bill, sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu), also sought to ensure that the appointment and removal of the EFCC’s chairman are subject to the confirmation of the Senate. 

Utazi, in his lead debate, said the proposed amendment was to bring EFCC in conformity with other anti-graft agencies by guaranteeing security of tenure for the commission’s chairman. 

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Abdurasheed Bawa is the first EFCC staffer appointed as the chairman of the commission. His predecessors were appointed from outside of EFCC.