The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed the creation of a National Electoral Offences Commission.
Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of EFCC, who was represented by Deborah Ademu-Eteh, an EFCC Assistant Commander, at a public hearing organised by the house of representatives committee on electoral matters for a bill to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission on Tuesday August 23, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the police, EFCC and other law enforcement agencies are already empowered by extant laws to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
Bawa said;
“There is no need to create an agency solely for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting electoral offences most especially when our electoral process is seasonal in nature and elections are held once in four years in the country.
“Furthermore, it is our suggestion that the existing law enforcement agencies should be strengthened to achieve maximum output instead of creating a new agency for investigation and prosecution of electoral offences in the light of the ongoing plan to implement the Oronsanye Committee’s proposal by the Federal Government Of Nigeria.”
