The Senate plans to amend the constitution to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute military officers for corruption and financial crimes, bypassing the need for a court martial.
This was revealed by Senator Emmanuel Udende, chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, during a committee visit to the EFCC in Abuja. Udende highlighted that most of the EFCC’s challenges could be alleviated through legislative amendments and budgetary adjustments.
He criticized the current practice requiring military personnel to undergo a court martial before EFCC prosecution, which he argued is at odds with the EFCC Act. The proposed amendment aims to grant the EFCC direct power to pursue cases involving military officials accused of financial misconduct.
Udende also lauded the progress made by the EFCC under chairman Ola Olukoyede and said the committee would push for an increased budget to support the agency’s efforts. He expressed confidence in the EFCC’s achievements and clarified that budget drafts presented by the executive only become law after legislative approval.
EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede urged lawmakers to support the agency’s anti-corruption initiatives, stressing that corruption is a key driver behind many of Nigeria’s problems. He mentioned the recurring diversion of funds allocated for infrastructure and reiterated his commitment to combating corruption, noting that significant recoveries had been made in local and foreign currencies in the past year.