The North Central Citizens Council (NCCC), a prominent group representing the interests of Nigeria’s North Central geopolitical zone, has called for the suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At a press briefing held on Sunday, the NCCC Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Eneji, highlighted allegations of embezzlement of public funds against Bawa as the basis for their demand.
The group emphasized that the Senate Presidency should refrain from confirming Bawa as the substantive EFCC Chairman until a thorough investigation into the allegations is concluded, in order to avoid sending the wrong message to Nigerians.
Eneji underscored the erosion of the EFCC’s intended purpose as a law enforcement agency for financial crimes, citing credible reports by various domestic and international media outlets regarding the alleged embezzlement of public funds by the EFCC Chairman.
It is noteworthy that this call for Bawa’s suspension is not the first of its kind. In April 2023, a coalition of civil society organizations similarly demanded his suspension.
While the allegations against Bawa remain unproven and he vehemently denies any wrongdoing, the mounting calls for his suspension are likely to exert pressure on the Senate, potentially leading to a delay in his confirmation as the substantive EFCC Chairman.
