In recent times, especially in the last two weeks, secret meetings and open deliberations have been held all in a bid to either put the Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, in check or secure her removal from office and bring in a retired (and tired) Justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal.In fact, the plot to oust Mrs. Waziri from office became more intense after she honoured the invitation of members of Political Platform crew on RayPower FM recently where she made certain comments and allegations seen as derogatory to many politicians (especially some former Governors and serving Lawmakers).
From all indications, serious plots are underway in the seat of power to make the EFCC less effective by giving it what political commentators have described as the 'ICPC treatment'. Continue to find out 'Why National Assembly is Moving Against Farida Waziri'...
Strong indications have emerged that the failure of the National Assembly leadership to stave off the on-going alleged corruption trial of 13 of its members is the real reason the lawmakers have commenced legislative move to ease out the commission’s boss, Mrs. Farida Waziri.
A source revealed that pressure was mounted on Mrs. Waziri, a retired AIG, to stop the prosecution of the senators and members of the House of Representatives currently on trial for alleged corruption. To the chagrin of those assigned to lobby her, Mrs. Farida did not only snub them but went ahead to endorse the arraignment of those indicted.
The federal lawmakers, through a bill sponsored by a member of the lower House, Mr Bassey Ewa, are now in the process of amending the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act as regards the headship, which would see only serving or retired jurists at the level of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal appointed as the agency’s chairman.
This move reminds one of the last days of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, when the constitution of the ruling PDP was hurriedly amended to prevent anyone from contesting the position of BOT chairman with the then out-going president.
If the proposed amendment, which has already scaled Second Reading in the House of Reps sails through, Mrs. Farida, who is a retired police officer, would no longer be qualified to head the EFCC. But Nigerians have quickly identified the antics of the lawmakers and are speaking up on the issue.
One group that is leading the pack is the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). In a statement in Abuja, the body noted that dissipating energy on the headship of EFCC, rather than strengthen relevant framework that would support the fight against corruption, smacked of a hidden agenda by the lawmakers.
The move for the amendment of the commission’s Act to exclude all former security officers from being appointed as chairman of the anti-graft agency commenced last Wednesday, with Ewa claiming that, “the EFCC has become a political tool against perceived enemies.”
CNPP, however, faulted the argument, saying that there was no proof that a retired justice would perform better than ex-officers. It also stated that what the lawmakers should support was the establishment of a special court and not the status of who would head the agency.
It added that the provision of a special court for cases of corruption would no doubt assist in getting quick dispensation of justice and save the already crowded regular courts some stress... Lets hope the Lawmakers will listen to the voice of reason and drop this very unpopular bill?
0 comments:
Post a Comment