The Senate has confirmed five nominees for appointment as Secretary and Board Members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC).

The five nominees are Secretary George Abang Ekunugu (Cross-River). Others to serve as board members are Luqman Muhammed (Edo), Anumba Adaeze (Enugu), Kola Raheem Adesina (Kwara) and Yahaya Muhammad (Yobe).

Nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari, their confirmation is sequel to a consideration of a report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes at plenary Tuesday.

Presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Kwari Suleiman Abdu, (APC-Kaduna), said the request to confirm the nominees was in line with the EFCC Act 2004.

He said the act provides for the appointment of the Secretary to the Commission, which shall be the Head of Administration of EFCC and four Nigerians with cognate experience in either Finance, Banking and Accounting, in addition to any other requirements.

According to him, the committee in furtherance of its mandate had screened the nominees on September 27. The Senate approved their appointment after a voice vote.

Five bills were also considered for first reading by the Senate, namely, Health Education Practitioners Board of Nigeria Registration Bill 2021; National Veterinary Research Institute, Gombe Establishment Bill 2021; Institute of Culture and Tourism Oke-Igbo, Ondo State Establishment Bill 2021; Legal Education Consolidation Act Amendment Bill 2021; and Central Bank of Nigeria Act Amendment Bill 2021.

(NAN)