…seeks independent appointing authority for anti-graft agency’s head
…commends NDLEA role in blocking illicit drug flow
BOMA DIPRIYE
National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, has faulted the hasty suspension of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Bawa Abdulrasheed, by President Bola Tinubu over alleged abuse of office.
Onwubiko in a statement issued yesterday said that Bawa’s removal without a reference to the National Assembly and without fair hearing has reduced the anti-graft agency to a political football pitch of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
HURIWA expressed fear that EFCC with the frequent politically motivated removal of virtually all its Chairmen since inception has become “the perfect football pitch of politicians wielding power at the topmost echelons of the polity in each new administration”.
The Rights group lamented that with the suspension of Bawa by President Tinubu, what some scholars termed as the vicious circle of embarrassing ends has continued for EFCC bosses.
He further said that such a scenario poses a significant threat to the integrity of the institutional platform that is statutorily charged with combating corruption and abuse of power.
The Rights group said that each of the previous Presidents except Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who set up the EFCC always accuse anti-graft czar of corruption and then the story ends as soon as they vacated their office and business continues as usual with another successor.
HURIWA citing research information affirmed that since its establishment in 2003 during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, every individual who has headed the anti-corruption agency left the establishment with ignominy including Nuhu Ribadu who reportedly impressed then President by his performance as EFCC boss, so much so that Obasanjo promoted him to the position of Assistant Inspector General of Police in April 2007.
HURIWA, however, lamented that eight months later, Ridadu, who was raised to the status of a hero by a previous government, was removed as EFCC chairman during the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
“In May 2008, Farida Waziri succeeded Ribadu to continue the fight against corruption. But in November 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan sacked her and replaced her with Ibrahim Lamorde. Waziri’s appointment was terminated following an allegation that the EFCC had been selective in its investigations.
“Also, in November 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari sacked Lamorde and replaced him with Ibrahim Magu. On Monday, July 6, 2020, he was arrested by security operatives at the entrance of the Wuse II EFCC office in Abuja and the following day, he was suspended as the EFCC boss due to corruption allegations levelled against him.
“Following the suspension of Magu, Abdulrasheed Bawa stepped into his shoes at the age of 40, he is reportedly the youngest EFCC boss in the history of the agency. Bawa’s headship of the EFCC followed his predecessors’ footsteps on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended him indefinitely over alleged abuse of office. He was subsequently taken in by the Department of States Service (DSS) for investigation.”
HURIWA is, however, advocating the establishment of an independent appointing authority of certain strategic commissions such as the anti corruption system similar to the extant National Judicial commission.
The Right group said this will make it difficult for a sitting President from removing the heads of anti-graft institutions as it has now sent wrong signals to the international community that government.
In a another development, HURIWA has applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its relentless dedication and commitment to block illicit flow of hard drugs in Nigeria.
HURIWA said the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NDLEA and the Narcotics Control Bureau of India is a step in the right direction.
The group said the new partnership is another feather to the cap of NDLEA dogged boss, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) in his continued drive to curb drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The fight against narcotics is a real war and it takes doggedness and uncommon courage to go against deadly men and desperate personalities with connections all over the world.
“We salute Brig.. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd)’s resolve and pursuit to eradicate the problem posed by illicit substances, notably synthetic opioids and Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) which pose a potent threat to our citizens.
“It is a well-known fact that diverse kinds of crimes like terrorism, banditry, robbery, pipeline vandalism, cyber fraud, amongst others are intertwined with drug abuse and trafficking of narcotics. We, are therefore, confident that the moves by Brig-Gen Marwa will greatly reduce all shades of crimes in Nigeria.”
