Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), a youth socio-political organisation has called for reform of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to effectively wage war against corruption in Nigeria.
The coalition believes that as constituted, EFCC cannot work for the common man and cannot be politically insulated except to the extent the laws establishing it are revisited and reviewed.
COSEYL expressed deep regret that since its creation, the commission has been largely used by any government in power to witch-hunt opposition and stifle voice of dissent, while leaving, in most cases, certain persons mostly incumbent party members in power, as the proverbial “sacred cows”.
The group, according Goodluck Ibem, its president general and Kanice Igwe, secretary general, observed that though the EFFC in some occasions had gone after those in government, but nothing came out of it, in terms of prosecution.
“For many reasons, it beats the imagination of the coalition that upon all the billions of dollars said to have been recovered, by the commission from corrupt public office holders, Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of such monies.
“Again, the coalition, having monitored for long, the structure of the commission is given to believe that the commission can hardly function independently, as long as its chairman, is an appointee of the executive.
The coalition condemned the power of appointment of the commission’s head, by the president. It said it was needful to review the EFCC Act and strip the presidency such powers given what is unfolding in the polity.
“Here is where the case of Magu, who has acted as commission’s chairman for five years, comes into the picture”.
They observed that the embattled Ibrahim Magu, whose appointment as substantive chair of the commission has on more than one occasion been rejected by the legislature, was retained by the president in acting capacity.
A situation they said was unacceptable and disregarded of legislative process, by the president, whose biggest political credential rests on anti-corruption.
The coalition recalled that the incumbent attorney general of the federation, who incidentally, has allegedly been having running battles with Magu on the grounds of insubordination, once described national interest, as his prerogative.
“In a situation like this, the coalition believes that the best for a commission like the EFCC is total insulation from the presidency part of which the Attorney General largely is.
“It’s ideal now that appointment, sack and remuneration of the commission, its staff, are done outside the presidency, as should be appropriate.
“Also, the Coalition believes that for a fellow to be appointed the chairman of the commission, a timeframe should be allowed during which the intelligence agencies gather information about such a person not exceeding six months.
“Also should records and qualifications with academic institutions, NYSC, past or present employers relating to the prospective chair of the commission be vetted, by the Senate and the intelligence units. As a creation of the law, such appointment should come from the judiciary than the executive,” it said.
