EFCC: NUJ Lauds Bawa’s Appointment, Urges Speedy Confirmation By Senate

President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been welcomed by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

NUJ FCT said having been without a substantive chairman for six years, the EFCC was in dire need of someone with vigour and enthusiasm to lead from the front.

The union noted that Bawa’s young age (40), professional qualifications and years of experience had positioned him as the most suitable official to man the anti-graft agency.

Speaking in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, the union also expressed optimism that the appointee will bring his experience to bear and boost Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight and Transparency International rating, if confirmed.

The NUJ FCT, therefore, called for hasty confirmation of Bawa’s appointment by the Senate.

It said, “The NUJ FCT is confident that with a substantive leadership in place and one with the requisite and in-house know-how of the EFCC will boost the war against corruption and other financial crimes as well as reflect positively in the country’s corruption index rating.

“For long the agency remained rudderless and with those in acting capacity walking on egg shells and trying to be politically correct. We remain optimistic that with the calibre of the new EFCC chairman with a vast experience in investigation, prosecution of advanced fee fraud, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering and other economic and financial crimes related offences, the anti-graft commission will witness a new lease of life and hopefully not be afraid to step on the toes of the corrupt rich and influential.

“Besides, settling for youth is cheering and should renew vigour and enthusiasm to safeguard the future of this country which has seen the peoples’ patrimony squandered by those entrusted with the country’s resources.

“We call on the Senate not to dither on this confirmation and work to have the confirmation hearing as quickly as possible,” the NUJ statement reads.

Bawa, as seen in his CV, has received training from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FINCEN), The World Bank, The United Nations Office of Drug and Crimes, amongst others.