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Proposed EFCC,ICPC Merger Tears Lawyers Apart
Some prominent lawyers yesterday differed on the proposed merger of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The lawyers gave their views in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the merger of the two anti-corruption agencies was recommended to the Federal Government by the Presidential Committee on Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.
Mr Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, said it was imperative for both agencies to be merged in order to become more effective.
Ubani, however, said the mere merger of the agencies would have no impact on the anti-corruption war if there was no political will by government to tackle corruption.
“I am still of the view that the political will of the government in power is crucial to the fight against corruption.
“It is the government that determines who is appointed as chairman of the agency and it needs to let it function without undue interference,” he added.
Another lawyer and former lawmaker, Mr Ehiogie-West Idahosa, said the merger was necessary due to the similarities of the functions of the EFCC and ICPC.
West-Idahosa, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives (Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West Constituency), said the merger would cut the cost of funding both agencies.
He said: “There have been a number of cases where both organisations had gone after the same suspect and in the end, missing out as a result of conflicting interest.
“So, merging them will make them more efficient in the campaign against corruption.”
A human rights activist, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, however, disagreed with the proposed merger, adding that both agencies had their specified constitutional duties.
“The ICPC deals with corrupt practices by public officials, while the EFCC has a broader mandate to fight economic crimes, both within the public and private sectors.
“It is not only in Nigeria that we have many anti-corruption agencies. In some countries, they have more than 15 agencies— each specialising on different areas,” he said.
Mumuni, who is the Executive Director of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a human rights group, therefore, urged the government to reconsider the proposed merger.
Similarly,the National Coordinator, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), a non-governmental organisation, Mr Chino Obiagwu, said the government should retain both agencies.
Obiagwu told newsmen that the merger was unnecessary because the EFCC and ICPC have been playing a complementary roles in the fight against corruption.
He said, “They have been complementing themselves over the years and this has brought a healthy competition between both agencies in the anti-corruption campaign.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.