Connect with us

Politics

“Stop Abdulrasheed Bawa’s Confirmation As EFCC Boss”- Lawyer Osuagwu Ugochukwu Tells Court

Published

on

Adulrasheed Bawa

 

 

 

—    Seeks Interpretation of ‘Equivalent of An Assistant Commissioner of Police’ In Relation To Bawa’s Appointment
— As Group Urges Senate Not To Confirm Bawa Over Corruption Allegation

 

The new Chairman-designate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who is expected to face Senate screening soon, is beset by a legal hurdle following a controversy surrounding his rank. It was learnt that a lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Senate confirmation of the chairman-designate.

 

The court document marked FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2021 was received at the Office of the Senate President on Thursday, according to an acknowledgement copy obtained by our correspondent on Friday.

It was learnt that the leadership of the Senate, the Presidency and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation were holding talks as to how to address the issue in order to avoid a repeat of the last screening exercise where the then nominee, Ibrahim Magu, was rejected twice by the Senate.

Bawa is also believed to be a kinsman of the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN). Malami played a major role in the removal of Magu and reportedly recommended Bawa’s appointment to the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The new nominee, who is a member of the pioneer Course 1 of the EFCC Cadet Officers, is a Level 13 officer. However, the EFCC Act states that in appointing a chairman of the commission, such an appointee must be at least an Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent.

The EFCC Act, however, may not have envisaged that a member of the core staff of the EFCC would become chairman and does not state what the equivalent of an Assistant Commissioner of Police would be in the EFCC cadre.

Bawa, who joined the EFCC in 2005, has been in service for 15 years and is believed to be a seasoned detective. However, there has been controversy over what the equivalent of a Level 13 officer in the EFCC would be in the police.

In the originating summons filed by Ugochukwu, it was argued that Section 2 of the EFCC Act states that the EFCC shall have a chairman who shall be the chief executive and accounting officer of the commission; be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency “not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and possess not less than 15 years cognate experience.”

Ugochukwu asked the court to determine whether a Level 13 officer is the equivalent of an ACP.

The plaintiff subsequently sought two reliefs, including “a declaration that the 2nd defendant (Bawa), who is a Grade Level 13 public service officer and not an Assistant Commissioner of Police or its equivalent is not qualified to be the chairman of the EFCC” and “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant (Senate) from confirming the appointment of the second defendant (Bawa) as chairman of the EFCC.”

Meanwhile, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership has written a letter to the Senate asking the upper legislative chamber not to confirm Bawa as the EFCC chairman.

This is according to a letter titled ‘Don’t Confirm Abdulrasheed Bawa’s Appointment as EFCC Chair until He Clears His Name of Corruption Allegation; Appeal to the Nigerian Senate,’ which was signed by the Executive Director of CACOL, Debo Adeniran.

CACOL said Bawa was alleged to have diverted 224 forfeited trucks while he was the Port Harcourt zonal head of the commission and is also rumoured to be a cousin of the AGF.

The group further argued that Bawa is not up to the level of an ACP and is thus not qualified to be chairman of the EFCC.

“The EFCC law is an Act of the National Assembly, hence the Senate must not overrule itself by breaching a critical provision in the appointment of EFCC Chairman.

“It is against this background that CACOL is appealing to the Senate to please take the pains to dig deep into Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa’s record of overall performance, as well as that of corruption allegations levelled against him.

“Howbeit, if the rumour making waves in some quarters, which has also been confirmed by some sections of the media, is anything to go by, we would say Nigerians’ hope for a corruption-free society has been dashed with the nomination of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as the chairman of the EFCC,” the letter read.

Bawa, who was accused of diverting recovered assets, was, however, absolved of any wrongdoing by the EFCC in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, on Tuesday.

Politics

Farmer Governor, Umar Bago’s Impeccable Strides

Published

on

By

For the Executive Farmer Governor of Niger State; His Excellency Umar Bago who happens to be the 6th democratically elected Governor of the Power state, has paid his dues and also played politics at the grassroots level before getting to his current status.

From his actions, he seems to have prepared for the job ahead as he is in the quest of making history as a governor who takes food security and farming to the next level taking advantage of the fertile and vast landmass Niger state currently has also banking on the current challenges affecting agric business in Nigeria as an opportunity for Niger state to create revenue and also empower its local farming population.

The banker-turned-politician started with a stellar career in the banking sector having worked at the United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank FCMB and Afribank before heeding the calls of his people to delve into politics in 2007. For him, he had always said his sojourn into the murky waters of politics was humanity is driven and one thing he has come to realize is that he is a fulfilled man serving his people and also bringing succour to their pains and making life better for them. In 2010, He contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives representing Chanchanga Federal constituency in Minna where he was until he was sworn in as Governor of Niger State.

As a member of the Green Chamber; Bago was cosmopolitan, refined, cerebral, and socially savvy and was adjudged a great guy by his colleagues. He was a force in the chambers that spoke with confidence, and authority and knows his onions. As chairman House Committee Maritime Safety Education and Administration; the Political science graduate from the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto ensured he discharged his duties diligently this placed him on the map and made many people notice his strides.

In his bid to make Niger state regain its lost glory as one of the biggest food-producing states in Nigeria; he acquired over 300 tractors and other mechanized farming equipment as he also allocated thousands of hectares of land for farming. President Bola Tinubu was on the ground to flag off the pilot phase which would see the prices of food crash drastically and also bring about food security in the country. Apart from his giant strides in Agriculture, he has committed a whole lot to road and infrastructural development, security, education, commerce, tourism, health, infrastructural development, and women and youth empowerment he also rebuilt and remodelled the moribund Minna Airport with modern equipment and also renamed it Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The farmer Governor is indeed not relenting on his oars as he also signed a partnership with Lagos state to supply the state which already has the ready-made market for farm produce which will ensure that farmers get to sell their goods in real-time and also make profits to be reinvested as he also plans to synergize with more state who are ready to key into the massive food production chain.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi’s Workaholic Nature

Published

on

By

 

If Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola FCA, CON were to be like Nostradamus; the man who sees tomorrow; he would have predicted what the future holds but unfortunately he is not one and he has never met a soothsayer who told him what  the future holds but he is a man who believes in the spirit of hardwork, resilience, doggedness and passion. More reason he was able to climb the ladder of success early in his career as a politician and a seasoned accountant.

While growing up, he learnt the art of working hard and smart from his parent but he also ensured he was in tune with his immediate environment which provided him and molded him into the man he has become today. His influence and political capacity in Lagos and Ogun his filial relationship with President Bola Tinubu and also the Senate President Godswil Obot Akpabio is a testimony that he has indeed done well for himself to have commanded such respect.

As an assembly member in Lagos, Member of Representative and Senator representing Lagos West and now Ogun West; Yayi as he is fondly called has remained consistent and is known for being a progressive-minded person. He is also a kind man who puts his people first. Often time many people ask him why a successful accountant like him would be looking for the political terrain a game perceived to be dirty by many, but he often answers them that; His love and passion for service to the people has been a driving force. Today, calling Yayi anywhere in South West Nigeria is synonymous with; success, political power, philanthropy, intelligence, brilliance and hard work.

Last December during the yuletide season when many of his colleagues had retired back to their constituency to spend time with their constituents and family; Yayi was deprived of his luxury of time as he was so enmeshed with the national assignment that is billed to move to Nigeria to the next level. While he resumes in his office at 8 am he closes in the wee hours to ensure a smooth budget passage and meeting the needed budget cycle. He worked tirelessly forgetting his meals most times. Despite his exceptional delivery of the budget process; he still made time to host his people in the New Year at his country home in Ilaro. Last weekend he also empowered several of his constituents with empowerment facilities worth millions of Naira to ensure financial stability despite the biting economy. He is currently one of the most experienced lawmakers in Ogun as he is focused on attracting more development to his region and state at large.

Continue Reading

Politics

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s Strategic Moves

Published

on

By

Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah made the headlines last week when he announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC from the moribund Young Progressives Party YPP where he won the senate seat of Anambra South twice. To some, the news came as a shock but to those in the know it’s a move to better the lots of his people after he had consulted widely with his supporters and constituents.

While many said his move was to help him solve his multibillion naira case with the EFCC those close to him disclosed that the issues had long been resolved even before his defection that the court just officially made the pronouncement which comes as a coincidence after both the NNPC and Capital Oil have reached an agreement to settle out of court.

Those in the know and other political pundits say the move is chess-like which will be a game-changing venture in his political sojourn haven built an occultist followership within his district. Sources say his move will solidify the ruling party APC in Anambra state where Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA is currently ruling. Sources say his move will put him at an edge to oust Governor Soludo from office in the next Guber election to make Abambra an All Progressives Congress State. The move will give Senator Ubah the needed support in other to mobilize votes in the next election and also make him the leader of the party in the state.

Continue Reading

Trending News