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Senate mulling amendment of EFCC Act to investigate, prosecute corrupt military officers
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The Senate has said that it would embark on a constitutional amendment that would empower the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate and prosecute military officers indicted for corruption and other financial crimes.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, revealed this on Monday when members of the committee visited the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
According to the Senate committee chairman, most of the challenges faced by EFCC could be addressed through the constitution and budgetary process.
He decried a situation where the agency can only investigate and prosecute serving military personnel only after a court martial.
“The situation where a court rules that a military man cannot be investigated and prosecuted unless he goes to a court-martial, we think, runs counter to the EFCC Act. We thought that we would do that by amendment of the EFCC law itself so that they will have the powers to do the investigation and do the prosecution,” the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, Udende stated that the committee would ensure an increase in the budget of the commission, going by its remarkable achievements under the current chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Udende said: “As a committee, we want to commend the Chairman and his team for doing a very wonderful job. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the report. And nobody has come forward to dispute this report.
“As a committee, we are satisfied that they have done a good job. We were going to lay this report before the Senate for its consideration, but as a committee we are satisfied.
“We have gone through the budget performance. We are also satisfied that they have done a good job, within the limited resources that they have.”
He, however, identified the lack of understanding from many Nigerians, who usually accuse the lawmakers of budget padding each time they appropriate beyond what was sent by the executive arm of government.
He explained that what the executive brings is a draft and only becomes a law or an act after it is deliberated and passed by the legislators.
“When you look at an agency like EFCC and say they need this much, and you put the money there, Nigerians will say you can’t pay the money. I was deputy chairman of the committee between 2015 and 2019. I was a member of the committee.
“We decided that this headquarters must be completed. By the time the budget came out, people were pissing us off. That is the biggest problem that we have in this country—that lawmakers are not allowed to do their job,” he said.
Earlier, Olukoyede sought the cooperation of the lawmakers in the fight against corruption, stressing that corruption is the reason behind all the challenges facing Nigeria.
The EFCC boss, who observed that the mandate of the committee is very critical for the progress of Nigeria, charged the lawmakers to support the agency in eradicating corruption from Nigeria.
“We know the state of our security or insecurity. And I think one of the things that’s very critical to some of these problems we are having is the issue of corruption.
“Some of the money allocated to some of these infrastructure issues, one way or the other, is either diverted or, upon the application of the money, we don’t get value,” Olukoyede said.
He reiterated his pledge made on the floor of the Senate during his confirmation to fight corruption to a standstill through various policy initiatives, stressing that in the last year, EFCC has recovered billions of cash both in local and foreign currencies.
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I commend our security forces for the successful rescue of Oyo school children – Hon TeeJay Yusuf
Former member of the House of Representatives and a top notch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Hon TeeJay Yusuf has commended gallant security operatives for the successful rescue of Oyo school children after 56 days in captivity.
This was contained in a commendation letter personally signed by the three-term former lawmaker(2011-2023) on Saturday.
In the commentation letter, Yusuf said: “I warmly commend our gallant security forces for the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers after more than 50 days in the captivity of their abductors.
“Their safe return is a profound relief to their families and to all Nigerians who have kept them in their thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult period.
” This successful operation reflects the courage, professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment of our security personnel in the service of our nation.
“While we celebrate this outcome, we must remain steadfast in strengthening our collective resolve to end kidnapping and all forms of criminality across the country. Every Nigerian deserves to live, learn, and work in safety.
“I congratulate all those who played a role in securing their freedom and pray that God will continue to protect, strengthen, and guide our security forces as they carry out their vital responsibility.
The Presidency has thrown its heavy weight behind the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the recent controversy involving Peter Obi at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, insisting that the former Anambra State governor breached established parking regulations.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the facts presented by the aviation minister contradicted Obi’s claim that his vehicle was deliberately targeted by authorities.
The dispute stems from an incident on July 4, 2026, when Obi alleged that officials clamped the tyres of his vehicle at the Abuja airport as part of what he described as continued persecution by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
Following the allegation, Keyamo said he ordered an investigation into the matter. According to the minister, the findings showed that Obi’s vehicle was parked in violation of airport regulations and was clamped only after officials allowed sufficient time for it to be moved.
Keyamo maintained that Obi had already exited the vehicle before enforcement officers carried out the action, making it impossible for airport personnel to have identified the car as belonging to the opposition figure or singled him out for special treatment.
The minister further stated that after the police officer attached to Obi informed him that the vehicle had been clamped, the former presidential candidate secured its release without paying the prescribed penalty, despite what he described as a clear breach of airport security rules.
Reacting on his verified X account, Onanuga said the minister’s explanation had laid to rest claims that Obi was unfairly targeted.
He said, “Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo explains how Peter Obi’s car violated parking rules at the Airport, how it was clamped and how Peter Obi peddled his influence to get the car released without paying the mandatory fine. Keyamo has now decided that Peter Obi must pay the N25,000 fine for wrongful, illegal and dangerous parking.
“The Minister’s account of what happened on July 4 at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, completely debunked Obi’s falsehood that he was unduly targeted and persecuted. The truth is that he and his police driver broke a simple parking rule at the Airport.”
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, says the rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren and teachers is worthy of thanksgiving.
Obi said this in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday.
He said he is greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped.
“This is worthy of thanksgiving. I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes.
“While we celebrate this happy outcome, we must remember that no child should ever have to endure such trauma.
“The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of government.
“Our children deserve to learn in an atmosphere of safety, not fear. We must continue to work towards building a Nigeria where every child can pursue education without the threat of violence or abduction.
“I rejoice with the children, their families, their schools, and all Nigerians on this heartening development,” he wrote.
I commend our security forces for the successful rescue of Oyo school children – Hon TeeJay Yusuf
Fine: Presidency throws weight behind Aviation minister, Keyamo’s ultimatum to Peter Obi
Oyo school children freedom: Peter Obi reacts says “it’s worthy of thanksgiving ‘
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