Members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Lagos defied heavy rains as they marched on the streets of Ikeja to celebrate the suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The organizers of the march congratulated President Bola Tinubu and his administration for their swift actions towards fixing the wrongs in critical areas of the Nigerian system.
The anti-graft crusaders were led by popular human rights activists, including the Chairman, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; Executive Director, Zero Graft Centre, Kolawole Sanchez-Jude; Declan Ihehaire of the Activists for Good Governance; Ayodeji Ologun, Transparency and Accountability Group; and Olufemi Lawson, spokesperson for the Coalition, among others. They began advocating for Bawa’s removal about six months ago, holding rallies and town hall meetings across the country to press home their demand.
Sources say that they called on former President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Inspector-General of Police to effect the arrest of Bawa as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. The activists had also petitioned the President on the need for a thorough investigation into the activities of the EFCC under Bawa, saying weighty allegations of corruption had been levelled against him.
“The Coalition of Anti-Corruption Organizations in Nigeria, is delighted to receive the news of the indefinite suspension of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” said CACOL Chairman, Devi Adeniran.
“The suspension of Mr Bawa, which is long overdue, is not only a welcome development, to the community of genuine anti-corruption organizations in the country but is considered by us as an opportunity for the thorough investigation into the many atrocious conduct of Mr Bawa during his reign as the Chairman of the EFCC.”
The coalition is demanding a thorough investigation into the activities of the EFCC during the reign of Mr Bawa as Chief Executive of the Commission. This will further convince Nigerians about the readiness of the administration to tackle the menace of corruption.
