By Zainab Yusuf (Assistant Editor)
A combination of professional competence, high-level dedication, capability, and a deep sense of the institutional history of the anti-graft Organisation, were the key considerations in the choice of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa as the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, gave this explanation in an interview with the Daily Trust. He disclosed that contrary to reports that he singlehandedly picked Bawa to be the chairman of the EFFC, four names were submitted to the president for consideration, and Bawa was subsequently picked.
Malami who denied being related to the EFCC boss, however, said that “I am happy that most of the comments made are not on his capacity, intelligence, competence and associated ability to deliver. His capacity to deliver was never questioned across the nation.
“The question is whether justice has been served, whether public interest has been served to have the chairman appointed with particular regard to his capacity and ability to deliver.
“My answer is yes. He has the capacity, ability, and institutional history of the institution to do justice by way of bringing about added value,” he said.
The minister stated that having headed three operational divisions of the commission, Bawa’s credentials made him to be selected among the names forwarded to the president. Malami noted that Bawa “ has held various authorities, including serving in the various divisions as the head of operations, in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Ibadan, which are adjudged to be the high point.”
The minister said since the law governing the operations of the EFCC had not been altered, the allegation Bawa’s appointment would subvert some of the functions of the commission. NNL.
