Governor: EFCC chairman corrupt, must face probe

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, says the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, must be probed for corruption.

Matawalle said Bawa is corrupt, noting that the EFCC chairman must surrender himself for investigation.

The governor also charged Bawa to explain the way and manner he has prosecuted the anti-corruption fight in the country, adding that the EFCC boss needs to explain how seized assets by the anti-graft agency were sold without adherence to due process.

He said this via a statement issued on Wednesday, May 17, in reaction to a statement credited to Bawa, in which he noted that he has sent invitations to all outgoing governors and commissioners in a bid to commence an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office perpetrated by them while in office.

Governor Matawalle said: “In furtherance of my desire to engender a broad-based investigation and an enlargement of the fight against corruption, I will also demand that Abdulrasheed Bawa excuse himself and surrender himself for investigation, as I and some eminent Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices, breach of public trust and abuse of office against him and the commission led by him.

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“Importantly, he needs to come clean with Nigerians on the way and manner he has prosecuted the anti-corruption fight.

“He needs to explain among others how seized assets by the EFCC are being sold without adherence to due process.

“He should explain, for instance, how he has assumed the role of the plaintiff, prosecutor, and jury and how he has executed his brand of plea bargaining with suspected criminals and saboteurs of the Nigerian economy and agenda who instead of being put on trial, are walking freely all over Nigeria.

“It is when the EFCC Chairman does this and becomes open, non-selective, and all-embracing with his invitation, that will we take him seriously.

“It is only then will serious-minded officers who have served the people selflessly and meritoriously and are not opposed to an examination of their books, and indeed Nigerians generally take him seriously.

“Without this, it is just a case of another person in government who has some explaining to do himself over allegations of corruption, high-handedness, and abuse of office now asking others to account, by so doing, merely giving Nigerians a comic relief from the present challenging times they are experiencing,” Matawalle noted.

The governor further asked the EFCC chairman to extend the planned probe to the officials of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Governor Matawalle stressed that only the outgoing governors and states commissioners should not be probed for alleged corruption, adding that those at the Presidential Villa in Abuja should be summoned by the anti-graft agency.

The Star