60 Civil Right Groups Support EFCC Chairman, Bawa Reject Call for Sack

..says politicians desperate to replace Bawa with their agent

By Samuel Ogunsona

Sixty civil rights groups met in Lagos on Thursday with a call on the Federal Government not to bow to politicians’ call for the sack of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.

The civil liberty groups said ahead of the May 29 change of baton, corrupt politicians are desperate to replace Bawa with their rookie.

The event which was facilitated by Africa’s leading anti corruption group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) held in Lagos amidst fear of greater political interference in the affairs of the anti-graft agency after the May 29 handover date

In the communique issued at the end of the meeting held at Colossus Hotel in Lagos, the groups said corrupt politicians have been working round the clock to ensure Bawa is sacked in order to cover up their inequities.

“We reject the call for the sack of the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa. This call is not hinged on any justifiable ground and risks promoting political interference in the affairs of the EFCC apart from its terrible impact on the image of Nigerian within the United Nations anti-corruption framework” the communique endorsed by leaders of the 60 rights groups stated.

Participants expressed solidarity with the on-going efforts of EFCC Chairman, Mr Bawa and his determination to make the EFCC more independent and free of threats and undue interference.

The groups also expressed deep concern on protesters demanding for arbitrary cancellation of the February Presidential election results adding that such a move would roll back democratic gains of the last 23 years.

The group said “We will embark on intensive campaign to promote EFCC independence and halt any attempt by political actors to impose their rookies on the EFCC.”

Participants included notable journalists and rights activist, Mr Richard Akinola, Ms Catherine Duru, Executive Director, Echoes of Women,in Africa Mr. Adewale Adeoye, Executive Director, Journalists for Democractic Rights; Mr. Taiwo Adeleye Secretary of Nigerian Human Rights Community a Coalition of 120 community-based Groups; Ologeh Joseph of Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection; Barrister Inibehe Effiong; Mr Adeola Soetan of the Democracy Vanguard, among others.

Anti corruption agencies were represented by Micheal Wetkas, Zonal Commander, EFCC Lagos Command; Code of Conduct Bureau by Mrs O.K Popoola among many other representatives of the media, labour and the informal sector.

The participants called on civil society leaders not to allow themselves to be used by corrupt and inept political figures whose target is to undermine the EFCC, diminish its achievements and destroy the gains of yesterday, today and the expectations of the future.

Participants said they recognised the achievements recorded in the past years in the fight against corruption while commending the ICPC, the COB and the EFCC for their efforts

They observed that there have been hundreds of arrests, prosecutions and convictions by various Anti-corruption Agencies (ACAs);

“The EFCC is commended for the remarkable achievements inspite of the difficult environment and continuous threats from politically exposed persons to the institution.

“We recognise the milestones of the EFCC, especially its outstanding achievements in 2021 when it secured 2,220 convictions, 2022 when it recorded some 3,800 convictions, $121m worth of asset seizure and a worthy pursuit of political actors including state governors linked to mind-boggling cases of corruption” the groups said.

It said it is aware that in 2022, the EFCC secured the forfeiture of 40 assets in Nigeria, United States of America, London and Dubai belonging to former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu among many other recoveries.

“In 2022, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), secured a total of 672 convictions and 565 non-petition-led investigations weresuccessfully conducted. The Commission also recovered N117 billion Naira as proceeds of crime during the period.”

Participants said thry recoginse the striking anti corruption initiatives like that of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Open Government Partnership (OGP), development of the National Anticorruption Strategy (NACS) and its implementation, among others which further incorporate civil society on the assumption that government alone may not be successful with them.

“The corrupt state of the educational system in Nigeria is hindering the fight against corruption by failing to provide moral guidance to students and young people on the importance of anti-corruption measures. State institutions should inculcate morality and civic studies in educational institutions” the groups said.

For effective performance, the rights group said, sufficient funding and inadequate welfare for staff of anti-graft remains a key issue that should be addressed.

The participants noted that the incoming administration should strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which is the only binding multilateral treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2003 but came into force in December 2005 and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

Particpants expressed gratitude to HEDA Resource Centre for facilitsting the summit and the MacArthur Foundation for its enduring support.