A civil society organization, Civil Society Alliance for Eradication of Corruption (CSAEC) has rejected the call for the sack and removal of the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
The CSO said it is a wrong idea at this transition period to remove Bawa as it will further defeat the already established fight against some political office holders most of whom will no longer enjoy immunity and thus makes investigation easily done.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the convener, African Leadership Strategy and Transparency Development Initiative, Nelson Ossaieze, said the CSOs have passed a vote of confidence on Bawa and urged him to carry on with the delivery of his mandate and further deepen the anti-graft agency.
He expressed worry over the inter-agency rivalry and ‘cabals’ have severely stalled the operation of the commission in the fight against corruption.
Ossaieze said this is seen in the way and manner they have severally influenced the outcome of investigations and situations whereby the commission goes ahead, they come up with procured court injunctions to stall further investigations.
He said, “Bawa should be allowed to complete the ongoing investigation of some of the political office holders, including that of the ruling party. We are sure these are part of those calling for his removal, which we stand against, and advise the outgoing government to ensure that such calls are not listened to but instead make him more focused in delivering his mandate.”
He said the flimsy excuse under which they are calling for Bawa’s removal, is selective disobedience to court rulings.
“We all know the standard rule if such occurs. It’s for the complainant to approach the court and charge him for contempt not call for outright removal.
“At times, we also know that under corrupt charges some court rules need to be further tested before being obeyed as it can truncate an ongoing investigation,” he said.
Under the same Bawa, he said the commission has recorded 3,785 convictions and still counting, but to our surprise, this was not celebrated by anyone but rather a frivolous call for his removal is what we are seeing.
“His removal now will further portray us in a bad light in the international community as not serious enough to build a strong institution that we need to build to ensure that our looted funds are recovered and plunged back into the economy.
“The war against corruption especially under President Muhammadu Buhari has its milestones, prospects and no doubt challenges hence the need to uphold and sustain what has been done by EFCC under Bawa and ensure those accused are called up to clear their names,” he said.
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