The autonomy of the EFCC will have a positive ripple effect. A truly independent EFCC will reverberate across the nation, thereby increasing the national corruption perception positively. More importantly, inter-agency collaboration to fight cross-border money laundering would improve, which would in turn lead to an improved score for the country in the global corruption perception index.
One of the most significant rhetoric used by President Buhari before and during his presidency is his distaste for corruption. His integrity was his unique selling proposition amongst the masses who voted for him in 2015 and again in 2019. But as history, and indeed his 8-year tenure will show us, it takes more than a leader with integrity to rid a nation of corruption. A strong, independent anti-corruption institution and appropriate legislations will go a longer way in fighting corruption and corrupt people neck for neck.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), although an agency of the Federal Government, needs to operate with zero interference from its employer, so much so that the head of the commission, in this case, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, and his colleagues are given a mandatory legal and constitutional free hand to operate. This is the only way the public perception of the agency to serve as deterrent to those who commit financial crimes will stick.
A historical review of the past heads of the commission tells us that it usually does not end well for them. From Nuhu Ribadu to Ibrahim Magu, ‘corruption and undue interference’ have always prematurely ended their tenures in office. Things must not continue as such.
Mr Bawa, the youngest ever head of the commission, is so far doing a swell job. With 3785 convictions secured in 2022, the commission performed more than any previous year of its existence, bar 2003, which was the year the commission was formed. There is a glaring rise in total number of convictions (103 in 2015) since president Buhari took over to the numbers now (3785 in 2022), which is his last full year as President. Imagine what could be done if there were stronger legislations that ensure minimal interference and increased autonomy. Not only would there be an increased number for convictions from the record of 2022, but also a rise in the quality and gravity of these convictions. All Bawa needs now, for starters, is for politicians to keep their hands off him. This steady train must not be derailed. Not with the current momentum.
It is with great pleasure and renewed hope for the war against corruption that I (and all well-meaning Nigerians) welcome the bill being considered by the senate, which seeks to amend the EFCC act by limiting the powers of the president to sack the EFCC chairman, by subjecting the decision to confirmation by the senate. This way, the security of the chairman’s tenure is guaranteed (somewhat). This will no doubt make it less convenient for the executive to terminate the appointment of a chairman and to ensure stability and consistency.
For example, the are recent distractions and murmurs from seemingly selfish quarters, calling for the removal of EFCC’s chairman would die naturally with this bill being signed into law. Do not get me wrong, there are still several laws and reforms needed to ensure administrative and operational autonomy of the commission. This bill is however, a step in the right direction. Additional funding, expansion of jurisdictions and branches, as against just zonal commands, would also go a long way.
The autonomy of the EFCC will have a positive ripple effect. A truly independent EFCC will reverberate across the nation, thereby increasing the national corruption perception positively. More importantly, inter-agency collaboration to fight cross-border money laundering would improve, which would in turn lead to an improved score for the country in the global corruption perception index. This rating is used by investors and other countries who intend to trade with Nigeria, to determine their risk appetite to transacting with Nigeria.
Will this bill see the light of the day, and soon? Your guess is as good as mine. But for now, political leeches should keep their hands off the professionals at the EFCC, particularly its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.