CSOs demand Bawa’s exit over corruption allegations by Matawalle

• Anti-graft agency boss accuses gov of diverting N70b
Following Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State’s bombshell, on Wednesday, that he and some other prominent Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices against Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, civil society organisations (CSOs), numbering over 150, have demanded immediate resignation of the anti-graft czar.  

They supported Matawalle’s view that investigations must not be selective.  

According to the activists, EFCC is an important agency established to rid the society of corruption.  

Led by the Chairman of Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Debo Adeniran, the campaigners, at a press conference in Lagos, said it was a standard practice globally for officials accused of misconduct to step aside for investigations to commence. 

They, therefore, called for a full probe into activities of the anti-graft body.

“There are damning allegations that some of the commission’s officials simply negotiate with suspects, get assets and cash retrieved and do plea bargains.  This opens limitless opportunities for corrupt bargaining and self-enrichment by the operatives of EFCC under Bawa’s watch,” the CSOs claimed.

They continued: “This needs to be thoroughly investigated by a technical commission of inquiry to dig into the modus operandi of EFCC investigations in the last three years by thoroughly analysing records of arrests, investigations, outcomes and final closures.” 

Spokesperson for the groups, Olufemi Lawson, observed: “Allegations of sharp practices with confiscated assets by the commission have refused to go away. To this end, all seized assets need to be forensically audited with a view to recovering those re-looted or auctioned in suspicious circumstances. 

“Bawa has been convicted for contempt over his failure to comply with an earlier order of the court. As we speak, Inspector-General of Police has not complied with a court order to commit Bawa to Kuje prison, while Bawa has not deemed it fit to purge himself of contempt.” 

MEANWHILE, the EFCC helmsman has accused Governor Matawalle of diverting N70 billion.

Addressing a press briefing, yesterday, he urged Nigerians not to be swayed by Matawalle’s recent outburst.

The governor had accused Bawa of corruption, urging him to step aside for an independent investigation.