Group fumes over call for sack of EFCC Chairman
Group fumes over call for sack of EFCC Chairman
By: Femi Mustapha
A group under the auspice of the Concerned Northern Forum, (CNF), has expressed dismay over the call for the sack of the incumbent chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrashid Bawa, saying the call is the handiwork of some greedy and corrupt Nigerians.
Chairman of the group, Alhaji Aliyu Sani, asserted this during a press conference held in Kaduna yesterday.
According to him, persons and organizations standing trials for corrupt practices have tried to play the ostrich and it is no longer news that some civil society organizations are paid urchins of indicted persons.
He explained that such persons employ a strategy of a smear campaign in an attempt to divert attention from their crimes, distract investigations and delay the administration of justice.
He stressed that several of CNF members have been approached for this hatched job to make wild allegations against the EFCC boss and other top security operatives, but none of them accepted to be dragged into the dirty game of mudslinging.
Alhaji Sani added that as patriots, it behoves them to rise in defence of the anti-graft agency and all other security agencies in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, saying corruption must not be allowed to wrack the soul of this nation for the benefit of a corrupt few.
“Mr Bawa has so far proven to be fearless and passionate in fighting corruption since his appointment. The EFCC has regained the confidence of many Nigerians as the leadership of the Commission has proven not to be a respecter of any sacred cow. Serving governors and their family members as well as aides involved in the web of corruption have over time been clamped down.
“From January to December 2022 alone, Mr. Bawa led EFCC recorded 3,785 convictions, with 41 discharged, all over the country, a number that has never been recorded in the history of the commission.
“Fines from these convictions were 378, 930, and 402.12 with 650 total custodial sentences secured across all zonal commands and headquarters and forfeited electronics that included 2,048 phones, 425 laptops, 259 automobiles and 10 TVS.
“While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for believing in the professional competency of Mr. Bawa by appointing him as the Chairman of EFCC, we call on Nigerians to rally round the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies in their effort to rid corruption out of our country,” the group stated.
