TheNewsGuru

Tag: Bawa

  • Falana urges DSS to arraign Emefiele and Bawa in court if it had evidence of indictment.

    Falana urges DSS to arraign Emefiele and Bawa in court if it had evidence of indictment.

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to speed up the investigation into the cases involving the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa and the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

    Recall that Emefiele was arrested on June 10 over allegations of terrorism financing,vwhile Bawa was nabbed by the secret services over allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

    Falana in an interview on Channels Television politics today, urged the DSS to arraign the duo in court if it had an evidence of indictment.

    He argued that the continued detention of Emefiele and Bawa did not reflect the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

    The Senior Advocate of Nigeria urged the Nigerian government to handle the cases in line with the provisions of the law to avoid a situation whereby loopholes are exploited.

    “Investigations should be speedily conducted, more so where allegations are made. I do not expect any delay in the investigation of the very serious allegation that has been made,” he stated.

    “In the case of Emefiele, the State Security Services last year alleged his involvement in terrorism financing. Please, quickly do something about that. With respect to money laundering and other offences, take them to the appropriate agencies of government.

    “In the case of Mr Bawa, we haven’t been told the offences he committed. I cannot speak very confidently with respect to the gentleman except to ask the government or the agencies involved to speed up an investigation and have them arraigned if they are indicted.”

     

  • Anti corruption group hails Tinubu for suspending EFCC Boss, Bawa

    Anti corruption group hails Tinubu for suspending EFCC Boss, Bawa

    The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for suspending of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office.

    Recall that a statement from the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, on Wednesday, announced the suspension of Abdulrasheed.

    CACOL In a statement on Thursday by the anti-graft coalition’s Director of Administration and Programmes, Tola Oresanwo, on behalf of its Chairman, Mr Debo Adeniran, said the suspension was a welcome development that was long overdue.

    “It was reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has indefinitely suspended the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office, to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office following “weighty allegations” of abuse of office against him.

    “The suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office is a welcome development that is long overdue due to the sensitive nature of his office. We had earlier joined other Civil Society Organisations to call on the immediate Past President, Muhammadu Buhari, to relieve Bawa of his appointment to allow for thorough investigations of allegations against him.

    “It should be noted that we wrote the Senate not to confirm him based on the allegations levelled against him when he headed the Port Harcourt office of the anti-graft agency but the Attorney General smuggled him in and got the National Assembly to confirm him.

    ”Moreover, because of how and how the immediate past Acting Chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu, was eased out of EFCC, we opined that Magu was yet to be removed from the office permanently and that he was still the Acting Chairman of the agency. So by this action coming from the President, we have been vindicated as we have opposed Bawa’s nomination from the beginning.

    “It must also be noted that we are not opposed to the commission’s mandate to fight corruption but we are opposed to the seeming politicization of the agency under Mr Bawa, its clear fixation on certain individuals in society, needless media trial, alleged corruption within the agency, and how EFCC officials act above the law by corrupting our judicial processes with impunity.

    “We, therefore, commend President Bola Tinubu for heeding the people’s yearnings by taking drastic action which the past administration found too challenging. This singular action by the President would warn all others holding one position of authority or the other that they can be called to give an account of their stewardship at any time.

    “We would like to advise that the selection of the next Chairman of the Commission be based on merit, and political consideration be downplayed. It will allow the agency to function and discharge its duties without fear or favour. The government should also support the good work of fighting corruption to a standstill by the agency”, it stated.

  • We’re not surprised by EFCC chair’s suspension – Transparency International

    We’re not surprised by EFCC chair’s suspension – Transparency International

    The Head of Transparency International, Nigeria, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, says the suspension of the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, did not come to the organisation by surprise.

    Rafsanjani, also the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), said this in an interview with NAN in Abuja.

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) chairman in a statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    Bawa was suspended based on “weighty allegations of abuse of office” levelled against him.

    ”The suspension did not come to us by surprise, this is because of the way and manner the previous regimes or governments have always removed the EFCC leaders when they come into power.

    ”For this development, with regard to the removal of the EFCC chairman, we believe that already we knew that he was going to be removed because of  so many political interests and changes that can happen.”

    He said that Tinubu might not likely retain Bawa because of how he was appointed and his affiliation.

    ”He will want to get rid of anything that has to do with that.

    ”Also there are some political interests, some politicians associated with the government also  have issues with the current suspended EFCC chairman and therefore they are likely not to be comfortable to have him there.”

    Rafsanjani added that ”the EFCC office has been unnecessarily made to be too much political.

    ”Therefore, it is making it difficult to do what ordinarily government agency is supposed to do.

    ”So, we need to look at it from that context and from that perspective, so I’m not surprised.”

    Rafsanjani, however, said that ”what is important is that we must insist and demand that the anti-corruption and the good work of agencies, including EFCC must continue in the country.”

    He also advised the government to look beyond politics in appointing the next chairman of EFCC.

    ”In appointing the next one,  I think first and foremost, lets make that office to be a technical professional office.

    ”Let’s make it less political, let us remove the use of that to settle political issues.

    ”I think we need to have a credibly experienced, fairly minded person to carry out that responsibility,” he said.

  • BREAKING: DSS summons suspended EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    BREAKING: DSS summons suspended EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    …he arrived DSS office a few hours ago

     

    The Department of State Services, DSS, has summoned the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa for questioning.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Bawa’s invitation by the DSS followed his suspension on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.

    The invitation by the DSS was contained in a letter signed by the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya(PhD).

    The statement read: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has invited Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bawa arrived a few hours ago.”

    “The invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him.”

    Bawa has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    Bawa’s suspension is coming days after President Tinubu suspended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

  • Details emerge as to why Tinubu shoves aside Bawa as EFCC chair

    Details emerge as to why Tinubu shoves aside Bawa as EFCC chair

    Details have emerged as to why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa.

    TNG recalls that Willie Bassey, Director, Information, office of the SGF, who revealed the information to journalists noted that, Bawa’s suspension was to enable security agents conduct proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

    There has been several allegations against Bawa since he assumed office as EFCC chair.

    Recently, a former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, had accused Bawa of demanding $ 2 million as a bribe from him.

    The allegation has been denied by Bawa who opined through the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, that the former governor should provide evidence to back his claim.

    Mr Uwujaren said the commission will not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state.

    Again, Bawa has been accused of abusing his office which he should have honored and kept sacred.

    However, Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu suspends EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa

    BREAKING: Tinubu suspends EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr AbdulRasheed Bawa.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Willie Bassey, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, the suspension of the EFCC chairman is to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

    “This follows weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

    “Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the commission.

    “He will oversee the affairs of the office of the chairman of the commission, pending the conclusion of the investigation,”

  • Provide evidence against Bawa not blackmail – Atiku’s aide tells Matawalle

    Provide evidence against Bawa not blackmail – Atiku’s aide tells Matawalle

    Daniel Bwala, one of the spokesmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has to an allegation raised against the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State had accused Bawa of begging him for $2 million.

    Bwala described the accusation as an attempt to blackmail to the anti-graft agency boss.

    In an interview with BBC Hausa, the governor claimed he was being investigated because he “didn’t offer the EFCC chairperson the money he requested from him.”

    The EFCC, however, dismissed the claim, stressing that it would not be drawn into a mud fight with a suspect under its investigation for corruption and unconscionable pillage of the resources of his state.

    Reacting to the development, Bwala said the attempt to blackmail Bawa was shameful.

    Tweeting, Bwala wrote: “If you want to remove Bawa as EFCC chair, at least be honourable about it and do that honorably.

    “The idea that outgoing governors and cabinet people are being investigated so you instigate one of the suspects to blackmail him is, to say the least, shameful.

    “Bawa, apart from improving upon the successes of Magu, has taken the commission to a more professional outfit where he draws accolades from far and near and deserves honor, not blackmail.

    “If you have evidence against him, follow the due process of the law rather than blackmail.”

  • Tender your resignation letter or be fired – Arewa tells EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    Tender your resignation letter or be fired – Arewa tells EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    A northern coalition of civil society organization known as Arewa  has asked the EFCC chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, to resign or be fired over alleged corrupt allegations.

    The chairman of the Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Organisations, Adamu Aminu Musa, noted via a statement  that Abdulrasheed Bawa’s resignation at this point in time is sacrosanct in order to save Nigeria’s reputation.

    The statement Reads partly: “The fourth executive chairman, Mr Bawa, has been at the centre of so many corruption allegations even before his appointment as the chairman, which was believed to be surrounded by so many controversies and mysteries.”

    The statement added that Bawa operates like an emperor, using his office to intimidate, harass, and force people to do his bidding, including the banks, other government agencies, and innocent Nigerians, with the backing of his godfather, the Attorney General.

    Adamu Aminu further noted  that Bawa forced the DG of NIMASA into sponsoring his family members to study abroad at the Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, India.

    He added that the EFCC chairman intimidated and harassed the NCC into giving his elder brother a job while he himself employed another member of his family in the EFCC’s Lagos Command.

  • Bawa chose to blackmail me over $2m bribe, I have evidence – Matawalle reveals

    Bawa chose to blackmail me over $2m bribe, I have evidence – Matawalle reveals

    Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle has revealed that the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa requested a $2 million bribe from him which he rejected.

    The governor noted that the anti-graft agency boss is blackmailing him for refusing his request.

    Recalled that on Thursday, the anti-graft agency said that  Matawalle is being investigated for allegedly diverting over N70 billion state funds.

    But speaking during an interview with the BBC Hausa on Friday, Matawalle denied embezzling the state funds and also said Bawa could not be trusted.

    “It is not just to always blame governors. It is not only governors who have treasury, the federal government also has. What does the EFCC boss do to them? As he is claiming he has evidence on governors, let him show to the world evidence of those at the federal level.

    “If he exits office, people will surely know he is not an honest person. I have evidence against him. Let him vacate office, I am telling you within 10 seconds probably more than 200 people will bring evidences of bribe he collected from them. He knows what he requested from me but I declined.

    “He requested a bribe of $2 million from me and I have evidence of this. He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this.”

    “He knows what is between us, he requested a favour from me and I refused him, so he has chosen to blackmail me, but I’m not bothered.

  • We’ve achieved a lot in eradicating economic crimes – EFCC

    We’ve achieved a lot in eradicating economic crimes – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), says it has achieved a lot in eradicating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

    Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Chairman EFCC, said this on Thursday in Maiduguri when he declared open a workshop on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for Journalists in Maiduguri Zone.

    Bawa, represented by the EFCC Maiduguri Zonal Commander, Mr. Oshodi Johnson, said that the commission could do more with media support in exposing corruption.

    “No agency in Nigeria can boast of the record of EFCC in these areas, but I am confident that with the support of the media, more can still be achieved,” he said.

    He said that the workshop was aimed at educating journalists across the country on their importance in the fight against corruption and economic crimes.

    Bawa said the workshop was expected to build synergy between the media and the commission in the fight against corruption.

    ‘’The papers to be presented in the workshop were specifically to draw the attention of journalists to areas of concern in the fight against corruption, particularly money laundering and terrorism financing.

    “Part of our objective today is to acquaint you with the important provisions of these laws and how they can be applied to check money laundering activities and financing of terrorism, we are in a region that have borne the brunt of terrorism activities.

    “The question which many of us have asked and which should engage our minds today is who are the financiers of the various terrorists groups,” he said.

    Bawa said that the commission had successfully prosecuted a prominent woman in Maiduguri for using her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for fraudulent purposes.

    ‘’The woman known as Mama Boko Haram was convicted for using her NGO for fraudulent purposes, the ordeal in the North East must not be allowed to be exploited for pecuniary gains.

    ‘’Journalists have duties to investigate whether an NGO operating in the North East have complied with relevant laws,’’ he said.

    Papers presented at the workshop included New  Money Laundering Framework: Duties and Responsibilities”, “Investigative Journalism and Nigeria’s Fight Against Money Laundering” and “Digital Payment System: Emerging Opportunities for Fraud and Prevention Tips for Victims.”