EFCC chair: Sagay, Agbaje accuse FG of abuse of act, set agenda.
Some lawyers have said that except Section 3(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act is amended, the anti-graft war will remain crippled.
The lawyers said the best candidate for the job could still suffer abrupt termination of appointment owing to the loose ends in certain provisions of the act.
Currently, Section 3(2) of the EFCC Act provides that a member of the commission may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of their 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.
The lawyers said the term ‘public interest’ was ambiguous and exposed the holder of the office to wilful manipulation by the President.
According to Fred Agbaje, the provision must be amended to give the occupier of the office the liberty to operate without fear.
He said the fact that successive governments used the act to remove EFCC bosses, who were not appointed by them, had dealt a big blow to the prosecution of pending cases with some evidence missing or destroyed.
Agbaje said that the position should be occupied by a person of high integrity and with the ability to resist financial inducement.
He said the selection should go beyond the consideration of a retired police officer, but one with a good track record in investigation.
Another lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, saidin choosing the next EFCC boss, the Federal Government must look for a person with integrity and one who is incapable of soiling their name.
He said the occupier of the post must have the zeal to pursue the fight against corruption without fear or favour.
Sagay said that the sudden removal of past EFCC bosses for questionable reasons showed that the government was abusing certain provisions of the act.
The lawyers said the best candidate for the job could still suffer abrupt termination of appointment owing to the loose ends in certain provisions of the act.
Currently, Section 3(2) of the EFCC Act provides that a member of the commission may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of their 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.
The lawyers said the term ‘public interest’ was ambiguous and exposed the holder of the office to wilful manipulation by the President.
According to Fred Agbaje, the provision must be amended to give the occupier of the office the liberty to operate without fear.
He said the fact that successive governments used the act to remove EFCC bosses, who were not appointed by them, had dealt a big blow to the prosecution of pending cases with some evidence missing or destroyed.
Agbaje said that the position should be occupied by a person of high integrity and with the ability to resist financial inducement.
He said the selection should go beyond the consideration of a retired police officer, but one with a good track record in investigation.
Another lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, saidin choosing the next EFCC boss, the Federal Government must look for a person with integrity and one who is incapable of soiling their name.
He said the occupier of the post must have the zeal to pursue the fight against corruption without fear or favour.
Sagay said that the sudden removal of past EFCC bosses for questionable reasons showed that the government was abusing certain provisions of the act.
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