The Attorney-General of the Federation has said that the FG is considering the merger of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau to eliminate the overlap in their functions.

At the inauguration of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, he said a merger would eliminate instances of double jeopardy currently experienced in cases prosecuted by the agencies.

He said "they appear to be overlapping because we have a petition from Ebonyi State where they are complaining that two agencies are investigating the activities of Ebonyi State.

“This petition was written by the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State addressed to the President and a copy was sent to me. The same offences for which the ICPC is already investigating, EFCC is also investigating.

“So, I forwarded the petition to the EFCC chairman and ICPC chairman to try and sort out and streamline themselves.

“Secondly, ICPC has already prosecuted Alamieyeseigha and got convictions and properties confiscated. The same Alamieyeseigha is facing similar charges before the Code of Conduct,”

He said that the law provides that nobody should be prosecuted or convicted twice on the same offence neither could the case be re-opened if he was convicted or discharged and acquitted.

“So, we are looking at the possibilities of having one strong body. That is the suggestion they are looking at, looking at the confusion that is arising here and there,”

Source: http://www.ngex.com/news/public/newsinfo.php?nid=5608

it would be akin to adding cold water to hot water.

The should be merged to avoid duplication of functions.