Senate to give EFCC, ICPC more powers

Soji-Eze Fagbemi and Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 06.02.2008

The Senate on Tuesday formally resolved to give more powers to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that offenders “are effectively investigated and prosecuted.”

The upper chamber of the National Assembly took the decision after it received and considered the final and main report of its retreat held between October 28 and November 2 last year in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Approving the recommendations in the report, the senators specifically resolved to amend the ICPC Act to ensure that the commission, hitherto seen as a toothless bulldog, was able to punish offenders, while ensuring that no offender went unpunished.

However, following contributions on the floor of the Senate, the senators included the EFCC and laws on anti-graft and unanimously agreed to commence the process of amendment to all the acts.

Initially, the recommendation read: “There is the need to further amend the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act (ICPC) in order to ensure that offenders are effectively investigated and prosecuted.”

After due consideration, the senators also decided to amend the EFCC Act and all other laws against corruption to underscore the seriousness of the government to fight corruption.

The Senate also resolved to embark on “a progressive amendment of the 1999 Constitution beginning with the less contentious issues” as practised in India and the United States of America.

On the Niger Delta crisis, the upper chamber said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should be adequately funded to sustain and actualise the Niger Delta Master Plan.