A new bill aimed at reducing presidential control over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has passed its second reading at the House of Representatives. The proposed amendment seeks to give the anti-corruption agency more institutional independence and protect it from political interference.

The bill, sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi, a lawmaker from Plateau State, was debated during Thursday’s plenary session, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. Gagdi explained that the amendment would modernize the EFCC Act of 2004 to match the evolving trends in financial and economic crimes, including cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, terrorism financing, and real estate-based money laundering.

Under the current law, the President can remove the EFCC Chairman at will, without the approval of the National Assembly. Gagdi stressed that this leaves the agency vulnerable to political control and weakens its credibility. The new bill seeks to correct this by ensuring that the EFCC operates independently and aligns with international anti-corruption standards.

According to Gagdi, the reform would help strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework, enhance transparency, and boost public trust in the EFCC. He emphasized that a more autonomous EFCC would attract global confidence and support in Nigeria’s war against corruption.

Supporting the motion, Ginger Onwusibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, said the amendment is long overdue, noting that many of today’s sophisticated financial crimes were not envisioned when the original EFCC Act was passed in 2004.