Politics
OVER 150 Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations (CSO) leaders and their supporters on Thursday, gathered to support and celebrate the suspension of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa.
To show their support and mark the beginning of victory on what they described as a just cause, they trooped out on the streets of Ikeja in Lagos, defying the heavy rain and chanting solidarity songs, after which they converged in a hall to address a news conference.
They noted that the suspension of Bawa; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, was long overdue.
Speaking for the CSOs, the Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) Mr Debo Adeniran, said the Coalition of CSOs in Nigeria, was delighted to receive the news of the indefinite suspension of Bawa, by President Bola Tinubu.
Adeniran said the suspension of Bawa, was a welcome development, as it was long overdue, since being called for by the community of genuine anti-corruption organisations in the country.
He said the action was an opportunity for the thorough investigation into the conduct of Bawa, during his reign as the chairman of the EFCC.
According to him, the decision of the President is very timely, especially when coming at a time it has become necessary to shore up waning public confidence in the EFCC.
He said that it was very sad that the reign of Bawa was characterised by grave allegations of disobedience to the Rule of law, with regard to court orders, alleged massive corruption and mismanagement of recovered public funds and assets.
”The office of EFCC chairman is one which must be high above reproach and any semblance of moral turpitude, therefore, making the suspension of Bawa necessary action to protect the agency’s troubled image.
”For over six months, our coalition consistently demanded for the removal of Bawa as chairman of the EFCC, based on several allegations of disobedience to the Rule of Law; allegations of personal enrichment; subversion of the course of justice in particular cases prosecuted by the EFCC and open politicisation of the commission’s activities.
”This timely intervention of President Tinubu will not only help in restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the credibility of the EFCC but will further convince Nigerians about the readiness of the administration to tackle the menace of corruption.
”Meanwhile, we are demanding for a thorough probe of the activities of the EFCC during the reign of Bawa as Chief Executive of the commission.
”This will not only assist in unraveling the numerous alleged misconduct and abuse of office by Bawa, but will indeed, send a serious signal to intending abusers of their public offices that it is no longer business as usual, and that there are indeed, no hiding places in the extant laws and procedural systems of Nigeria for power and position abusers,” Adeniran said.
He said the coalition would partner with the new administration, to ensuring the survival of the anti-corruption efforts in the overall interest of the nation. (NAN)
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Tags: Abdulrasheed Bawa. Central Bank of Nigeria EFCC Mr Godwin Emefiele
