Anambra Assembly Passes Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill into Law

The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill establishing the Anambra State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The bill was passed following a resolution adopted during plenary on February 3, after extensive deliberations, amendments at the Committee of the Whole, and subsequent approval by the lawmakers.

The motion for the third reading of the bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, and seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Nobel Igwe.

Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended the joint committee for its diligence and thorough work in refining the bill to meet legislative and public interest standards.

The Speaker thereafter put the bill to a voice vote, and it was unanimously adopted by the House. He confirmed that the law would officially come into effect on February 17.

Under the new law, the commission is empowered to investigate financial crimes, corruption, and related offenses involving the finances and assets of the Anambra State Government.

It is also authorized to take over such investigations from any other agency or authority operating within the state and to coordinate and manage all corruption-related cases under its jurisdiction.

The commission is mandated to submit regular progress reports to both the Office of the Governor and the Anambra State House of Assembly, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations.

The law further provides safeguards to ensure that no individual—whether a resident or indigene of Anambra State—suffers injustice as a result of administrative actions taken under its provisions.
It emphasizes that special care must be taken in investigating any administrative act that appears to contravene existing laws and regulations.