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Tag: Abdulrasheed Bawa

  • After releasing ex-EFCC boss, DSS set to handover Emefiele

    After releasing ex-EFCC boss, DSS set to handover Emefiele

    Barely 24hours after releasing former EFCC boss, Abdurasheed Bawa, the Department of State Security Services, DSS is set to release the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

    According to Sources in the Presidency and the Ministry of Justice, Emefiele will be officially handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC later today. This development is coming a day after the release of Ex-EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    Recall that Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June 10th over his alleged involvement in Fraud and Several other offenses. On July 25, Emefiele was arraigned on a two-count charge over “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Ikoyi and was granted N20 million bail.

    Nicholas Oweibo, the presiding judge, had ordered that Emefiele should be kept in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
    But the DSS insisted that Emefiele must return to its custody, a development that led to the face-off between the secret police and prison officials.

  • Four months after, DSS frees former EFCC Chairman

    Four months after, DSS frees former EFCC Chairman

    After four months in detention of the Department of State Services (DSS), former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has regained freedom.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bawa regained his freedom on Wednesday night after he honoured an invitation of the DSS on June 15 for questioning over allegations of abuse of office brought against him.

    “DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023),” Peter Afunanya, DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications disclosed in a terse statement via X.

    Recall President Bola Tinubu approved the indefinite suspension of the former EFCC Chairman from office.

    A statement  from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said the suspension was to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

    The statement said the suspension followed weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against the former EFCC boss.

    Bawa was directed at the time to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director of Operations in the commission.

    Afunanya had said Bawa was invited in relation to some investigative activities concerning him.

  • What I discussed with President Tinubu – EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    What I discussed with President Tinubu – EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa on Wednesday met with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the meeting took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and it would be the EFCC Chairman’s first official engagement with President Tinubu since he assumed office.

    According to a terse statement by the commission, the meeting afforded Bawa the opportunity to brief Tinubu on the state of the fight against corruption in the country.

    TNG gathers that the anti-graft czar also briefed the newly sworn-in president about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where he signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (NAZAHA) of Saudi Arabia.

    According to the statement, the MoU was in a bid to strengthen international partnerships to address the complex challenges posed by corruption.

    However, the statement did not disclose if the EFCC Chairman discussed recent squabbles between EFCC officials and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) with the new president.

    Recall that the Lagos office of the EFCC was on Tuesday placed under lock and key by the DSS, who prevented officials of the anti-graft agency from gaining access to their office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The two organisations have shared the office which was the headquarters of the defunct National Security Organisation, the precursor to DSS, for about 20 years.

    There is said to be an ongoing discussion between the two federal agencies over the ownership of the building.

    However, in a swift move, President Tinubu directed the DSS to immediately vacate the EFCC office.

    The president said if there were issues between the two important agencies of government, they would be resolved amicably.

  • EFCC boss scores Buhari excellent on anti-corruption drive

    EFCC boss scores Buhari excellent on anti-corruption drive

    The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, has described the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari in his eight years of administration as excellent.

    Bawa said this on Thursday in an interview with newsmen at he passing out ceremony of the Inspector Cadet Course Six 2022 of the EFCC at Police Mobile Force Training College (PMFTC), Ende Hills, Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

    The 115 cadets comprised 96 males and 19 females completed their nine months rigorous training at the PMFTC.

    He said that the fight against corruption was not an easy task, stressing that Buhari’s administration’s fight against corruption surpassed other previous administrations.

    “The assessment of the president anti-corruption drive is of course on top and it has been excellent.

    “Yesterday I was with him, where we presented to him the graph presentation of the rise in the conviction we succeeded in securing under his leadership.

    “In 2016, the EFCC only recorded 103 convictions and in 2022 we recorded 3,785, all credits goes to him. This signified a sharp increase from the previous year’s conviction records of the commission.

    “Because he was able to provide us not only the political will required to fight corruption but also the political action,” he said

    Earlier, while expressing gratitude to Buhari, he said that the president had strengthened the commission in his quest and zeal to rid the country of corruption, whose effect had slowed down the country’s development potential.

    “Since my appointment as the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr President has granted us all the necessary support and legislations, including the need to boost the manpower of the commission.

    “To reinforce his commitment, the president assented into law three legislations; being the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022; the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022; and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022.

    “These legal instruments against illicit financial flow and money laundry have aided the conviction achievement of the EFCC,’’ he said.

    Bawa said notwithstanding its enforcement and prosecution mileage, the commission had not relented in its prevention mandate in line with the strategic objective plan of 2021 to 2025

    The chairman said that this included increasing the level of public engagement in the fight against economic and financial crime.

    According to him, in furtherance of this objective, the commission on every Wednesday engage in real time with the public via a virtual town hall meeting on the EFCC’s tweeter handle.

    He said that the EFCC lead role in the comity of law enforcement, particularly against economic and financial crimes was no mean feat.

    According to him, to sustain this role, its officers are guided by the core values of integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration

    Bawa also commended the quality of training received by the 115 cadets, adding that they had been transformed from ordinary civilians into law enforcement and combat ready personnel.

    “Before you today are officers drawn from every state in Nigeria, as well as the FCT after having fulfilled the selection requirements during the recruitment exercise, they came in without knowing what to expect.

    “In the course of the training, these cadets received relevant academic knowledge from the EFCC instructors in areas of vocational studies, legal studies, financial studies, forensic, ICT and general studies,” he said

    He noted that it had been a long road getting there, in spite of the various challenges encountered.

    “I am happy to say that the cadets have been transformed, and are ready to deliver their quota in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    “I urge you all to be committed to the profession you are signed up for.

    “It is crucial for you to know that law enforcement especially in the field of fighting financial crimes, is a crucial national service, a career that takes years to build, which requires only minutes to destroy,” he said.

  • Alleged corruption: Step aside now, Ohaneze tells EFCC Chairman 

    Alleged corruption: Step aside now, Ohaneze tells EFCC Chairman 

    Ohaneze, the Igbo Social Cultural group has called on the embattled Chairman off the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to step aside from the office as his continuous staying in office has become a burden to the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammad Buhari’s dying administration.

    The group in a press statement signed by Okwu Nnabuike , the President of Ohaneze youths World wide said, EFCC under Bawa now a subject of ridicule.

    “In the past couple of days, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Council Worldwide have watched with dismay the drift currently going on at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.”

    “Needless to say that we are not so surprised owing to the fact that in the not so distant past, we had raised the alarm that the EFCC czar, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was merchandising the anti-graft commission.” It noted

    The group noted that ” This came to the fore when he unleashed the commission on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a victim of circumstance, who was then facing charges in the United Kingdom. The EFCC under Bawa has never charged Ekweremadu for any crime, but while the lawmaker was in far away UK, he rushed and misled a Nigerian court to confiscate all his properties. Thank God that the court later reversed itself. This is just one of the major unholy and sponsored jobs of the EFCC under Bawa.”

    Continuing the group stated that ” in the history of the EFCC, no chairman of the commission has ever come under public scrutiny in such a short period of time like Bawa. The same goes for many of the staff under him, justifying the aphorism, ‘like father like son’. A few days ago, it was even reported that two of the staff members killed another colleague while they were fighting for exhibits. This shows how dirty the commission has become.”

    It futher stated that ” Apart from the corruption fight taking a nosedive under Bawa, it is also no longer news that the EFCC under him has totally become a tool for political witchhunt, it is now merely being used to settle political scores.”

    The group reinstates it call on the EFCC boss , Bawa to step aside saying ” Based on the foregoing, it is time for Bawa to pack his luggages and step aside as the Chairman of the EFCC. We even expected that he should have resigned on his own volition judging by some weighty allegations against him.”

    “However, since he is obstinate about towing the path of honour, we advise President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful by purging his government of all the ridicule brought upon his avowed anti-corruption stance by Bawa and the EFCC under him.”

    “But should Buhari fail to do so, the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should consider it as one of his very first assignments- to make Bawa step aside and face investigation. This is the only way Nigerians would rekindle their hope on the anti-graft commission”

  • Alleged corruption: NDYC calls senate to investigate EFCC Boss

    Alleged corruption: NDYC calls senate to investigate EFCC Boss

    The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NYDC), has called on the house of Assembly to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the series of allegations levelled against  Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Chairman Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in order to restore public confidence in the Commission.

    The National Coordinator NYDC Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, made the call in a statement, on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to Uwejeyan, the recent allegations leveled against  Bawa, if proven true, have the potential to severely undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the commission. It is therefore essential that a thorough investigation is conducted into these allegations.

    The group asked that the EFCC Chairman to step aside for a thorough investigation into the series of allegations levelled against him and called upon the chairman of the EFCC to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the sources of funds that facilitated his accommodation during the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

    “Reports indicate that he secured six opulent rooms at the Hilton Hotel in Mecca, and similarly resided in Sheraton in Jeddah, incurring a staggering expenditure nearing $300,000. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, Mr. Bawa owes the Nigerian public and the Senate a detailed account of the origin of these substantial funds.

    “He should step aside to ensure that the investigations are not influenced or compromised in any way, allowing for an impartial examination of the allegations brought against him.

    “And called on all relevant stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the Nigerian public to support this call for Mr. Bawa to step aside for a thorough investigation into these series of allegations. We must all work together to ensure that the EFCC remains an effective institution in the fight against corruption, upholding the principles of justice and accountability, the statement reads.

    The group further maintained that the Senate as custodians of our democracy, holds the power to make crucial decisions that directly impact the well-being and future of our country especially as it concerns key institutions like the EFCC, and so should demonstrate their commitment to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and accountability and it will also reaffirm the trust of the Nigerian citizens in the legislative process, showing that their concerns are heard and addressed with sincerity.

    “We implore you to prioritize the greater good of the Nigerian people over any undue influence or personal agenda that may compromise the pivotal role of the EFCC in combating corruption.

    “The EFCC, as an institution charged with the responsibility of combating economic and financial crimes, plays a crucial role in our society. It is imperative that the commission operates with the highest standards of professionalism, credibility, and trustworthiness. And any allegations of misconduct or impropriety involving its leadership must be treated with utmost seriousness.”

  • EFCC denies chairman received $2m bribe from Matawalle

    EFCC denies chairman received $2m bribe from Matawalle

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied it’s Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa received a $2m bribe from Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.

    Spokesperson for the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujiaren made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

    Uwujiaren said the attention of the commission was drawn to a trending interview granted to the Hausa Service of the BBC by the governor of Zamfara, where he made the bribery allegations.

    According to him, Matawalle’s recourse to untrue story is symptomatic of a drowning man clutching at straws.

    “Despite the irritation of his phantom claims, the commission will not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under its investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state.

    “If Matawalle will be taken seriously, he should go beyond sabre-rattling by spilling the beans – provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations,” he said.

    Uwujiaren said the public should also be notified about plans by some of the alleged corrupt politically exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29.

    “The commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate these escape plans and bring those involved to justice,” he added.

  • EFCC chairman accuses politicians of stockpiling old notes to buy votes

    EFCC chairman accuses politicians of stockpiling old notes to buy votes

    As Nigerians set to head to the polls on Saturday to vote for a new President, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has raised an alarm over alleged plans by politicians to buy votes in kind and cash.

    He made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s election programme, The 2023 Verdict.

    I don’t want to say only governors are hoarding naira notes, there are public servants out there doing the same thing

    The EFCC chairman, who confirmed that all of its officers had been deployed to monitor the polls across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, urged citizens to report vote buying, selling, and other evidence of financial malpractices.

    He said, “We have intelligence that a lot of politicians have bought some items that they will use to buy votes in kind and not in cash. But we are prepared for any situation and will not hesitate to arrest anyone caught in the act. We will watch out for all these things on election day.”

    EFCC chairman accuses politicians of stockpiling old notes to buy votes

    Bawa further revealed that public officials, corrupt businessmen and some governors were allegedly hoarding old and new naira notes with the intent to buy votes during the presidential election scheduled to hold on Saturday.

    According to him, the agency is aware of the tactics used by vote buyers and officials are prepared to handle any situation that may arise.

    “I don’t want to say only governors are hoarding naira notes, there are public servants out there doing the same thing or some businessmen with questionable characters are still having these funds in their homes. So, I don’t want to say governors are these but I will say that public servants, either retired or serving and some businessmen with questionable characters are on our radar.

    “The biggest hurdle is if Nigerians don’t buy into what we are doing but I believe once we are united, we would be able to take inadequacies out of our system,” he stated.

  • Again, court sends EFCC boss, Bawa to prison for contempt

    Again, court sends EFCC boss, Bawa to prison for contempt

    Justice R. O. Ayoola of the Kogi State High Court on Monday committed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa to prison for alleged contempt.

    The judge, who awarded N10 million against EFCC, ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IG) to arrest Bawa forthwith wherever he is and send him to the Kuje correctional Centre for two weeks without any delay until he purges himself of the contempt.

    The judge gave the order while delivering his judgement on an application brought before him by one Ali Bello, through his Counsel, S. A. Abass, who prayed the court to commit the EFCC boss for disobeying a court ordered earlier granted by him (Ayoola).

    Ayoola had on December 12, 2022 delivered a ruling, in favour of Bello, who had dragged EFCC to court for arresting and detaining him illegally.

    But three days after his freedom as ordered by the court, the EFCC went ahead and rearrested and rearraigned him for alleged money laundering.

    To justify its action, the anti-agency had filed a fresh application for setting aside and stay of execution of the ruling earlier issued by the court for lack of merit.

    Consequently, Justice Ayoola, in Form 49, Order IX, Rule 13, marked: “HCL/697M/2022” and titled: “Notice to Show Cause Why Order of Committal Should not be Made,” on the EFCC boss for disobeying his order.

    The judge ordered Bawa to appear before him on Jan. 18, to explain why he should not be jailed for flouting the order given on Dec. 12, 2022 in a case filed by Ali Bello against EFCC and Bawa, as the 1st and 2nd respondents, respectively.

    Ayoola ordered that the EFCC and Bawa be served the motion of notice together with Form 49 by substituted means.

    “Your arrest and detention of the applicant (Bello) in the face of a subsisting Court order made by this honourable Court of competent jurisdiction and without a warrant of arrest “or being informed of the offence for which he was arrested.

    “Your action is unlawful, unconstitutional and in contravention of the personal liberty and dignity of human person guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), ” the judge declared.

    He also ordered the respondents in the matter to tender an apology to the Bello in a national newspaper and awarded N10 million compensation for him.

  • EFCC is desperate to tarnish our image – Kogi Govt laments

    EFCC is desperate to tarnish our image – Kogi Govt laments

     

    … ask them what happened to bail-out probe’

    The Kogi State Government has debunked an allegation of money laundering levelled against it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing it as a sustenance of the persecution of the government by the Abdulrasheed Bawa-led EFCC.

    The government in a sharp reaction to a statement by the EFCC on Thursday, observed that the Commission, with its present allegations, had shown clearly that it was desperately seeking to save its face after the Commission hit a road block in its N20bn Sterling Bank media trial.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communication in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, however, noted that just as with the Sterling Bank affair when the commission went to the media before proper investigation, the EFCC was again set to embarrass itself and its legacy by again jumping to the media to continue its persecution of the Kogi government.

    While insisting that no money belonging to the Kogi State Government was laundered, the Commissioner insisted that Nigerians should ask the EFCC if its “biased” corruption searchlight was only meany for Kogi State.

    “The media trial by the EFCC is a calculated and orchestrated plan to embarrass the State Government by going after its Officials and Associates with trumped up charges to satisfy the destructive fangs of their paymasters,” Fanwo noted.

    The government in its reaction said that the inclination of the EFCC was against the acknowledgment of due process and financial accountability given to the Kogi State Government by international organisations. It particularly cited the recent honour accorded the Kogi State Government by the World Bank funded SFTAS project in which Kogi was lifted above peers in financial accountability.

    The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a press statement on the website of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to the effect that they arraigned some persons who they alleged were linked with laundering monies belonging to the Government of Kogi State.

    “Inasmuch as we would not want to delve into the depth of the matter which is now sub judice, it is pertinent to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the desperation of the EFCC to crucify Kogi State at all costs may have landed them in another trouble. Unlike the EFCC that has been known for serial contempt of court under the current leadership; we are committed to allow the law to take its due course on the matter and our innocence, again, proven beyond reasonable doubt.

    “It would be recalled that this same EFCC once accused the Kogi State Government of stashing 20 billion naira bailout funds in a fixed deposit account in Sterling Bank. When the legal fireworks were about to ruffle their biased feathers, they quickly backed out and claimed the money had been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Till date, they have not shown Nigerians any proof of the return even when Sterling Bank Plc has under oath denied the return of any monies belonging to the Kogi State Government. It is trite that what does not exist cannot be taken or returned.

    “The media trial by the EFCC is a calculated and orchestrated plan to embarrass the State Government by going after its Officials and Associates with trumped up charges to satisfy the destructive fangs of their paymasters.

    “Let it be on record that no money belonging to the Kogi State Government was laundered. SFTAS is a World Bank accountability project to ensure the Government stays accountable to the people. For many years, Kogi has won Awards as one of the most transparent State Governments in Nigeria. A responsible anti-graft agency would have made Kogi an example of transparency and excellence. However, with its endless wild goose chase, Nigerians would even wonder if EFCC’s obviously biased corruption binoculars are only designed for Kogi State.

    “It is not unexpected that the EFCC would feel disappointed that the monies they claimed had been stolen from the coffers of the state have been used to build Nigeria’s best hospitals, good roads, best schools that are about to be commissioned. We cannot help their descent into political pawn. We will continue to make the resources of our state work for our people.

    “Nigerians know that the recent Gestapo-like operation against the State was occasioned by EFCC’s failure to sell the “fixed” Bailout funds debacle to the people. They became desperate to save their face from the disgrace bestowed on them by their “Destroy Kogi” Agenda.

    “We urge our people not to take the laws into their hands as we are prepared in fact and in conscience for the legal battle ahead.”