- * Describes His Tenure As The 'Dawn Of A New EFCC
By Chinwendu Agoha (Governance Reporter)
A Northern group, Arewa Youths Assembly (AYA), has commended the performance of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, in the last one year, describing his tenure so far as the 'Dawn of a New Era".
The group in a joint statement on Sunday, January 16, 2022 by it's Speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami and Publicity Secretary, Aliyu Sanni .M, said it was proud that Bawa's performance was an indication that the Nigerian youths could handle the leadership of the country creditably if given the opportunity, adding that it was for this reason that the Arewa Youths Assembly had been in the vanguard for youths inclusiveness in governance at all levels in Nigeria.
The group said "It seems the fight gained ground and the lord answered our prayer as we saw the nomination of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, a 40-year-old, as the chairman of EFCC. The Arewa youths continued with their campaign by calling on the Senate President to immediately swing into action and see to the speedy confirmation of Mr Bawa.
"The confirmation came and the 40-year-old was in the history books as not only the youngest, but the first career operative of the commission. This gladens the heart of the Arewa youths, raised their hope and they indeed saw a symbol of fulfilment their agitation. The President created a future and permanent space for involvement of youths in governance in Nigeria which made us salute and appreciate the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in taking the bold steps and trusting the future of such sensitive and meaningful commission in the hands of the youths".
The Arewa Youth Assembly however stated that the group remains solidly behind the EFCC Chairman by further "encouraging and motivating him to deliver as a youth, fight corruption aggressively and the corrupt individuals by all means legally possible so as to redeem the image of Nigeria before the world". They urged the EFCC Boss, Bawa, not to betray the youth opportunity and the confidence reposed in him by president Muhammadu Buhari.
"Even when there were threats to his life and other challenges he faced, the youths supported him. We moved round the country and galvanized national solidarity for him, and also called for the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of such act".
The Arewa Youths Assembly explained that Bawa, had, within a short period of his watch as EFCC chairman, changed a lot in the Commission and ensured that those who looted public funds taken care of accordingly . The group also said the "anti-corruption fight in Nigeria has taken a new dimension which has sufficiently restored the global image of Nigeria. With Bawa's youth energy and his vast experience, he has continued to ensure rapid and yet careful arrests, investigations and prosecution of financial crimes offenders".
The Arewa Youths Assembly with proud elation, enumerated what it described as the achievements of the EFCC Chairman thus:
"Recovery of a huge sum of N152,088,698,751.64, $386,220,202.84, £1, 182,519.75, €156,246.76, 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal, 1,900.00 South African Rand, and 1, 400.00 Canadian Dollar and a digital currency component with 5, 36957319 Bitcoin and 0.09012 ethereum.
"In addition to that, there is the convictions of 2,220 across the Commands in the same year under review, the highest the commission has so far recorded within a calender year. A breakdown of the above goes as follows: With reference to convictions, Mr Bawa's records are above average, setting a standard that has never been achieved before now.
"The convictions Mr Bawa secured for the year 2021 has superseded previous records of the year 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2020 put together. Even in 2019 when the convictions record rose to 1, 280, it was still below Mr Bawa has achieved which has shown capability,agility, momentum and drive. Mr Bawa's Convictions were not centred in one location, they were spread across the states of the country to ensure that the entire nation benefit in this fight against corruption".
The northern youth group however enumerated the EFCC's several convictions so far secured across the Commission's Zonal Commands thus: 38 from Sokoto, 324 from Ibadan, 481 from Lagos, 137 from Illorin, 170 from Benin, 230 from Port Harcourt, 94 from Abuja, 173 from Enugu, 142 from Uyo, 64 from Kaduna, 121 from Kano, 58 from Gombe, 22 from Makurdi, 170 from Benin, 26 from Maiduguri and 140 from the Abuja Headquarters.
"These gives a total of 2, 220 convictions, a percentage of 98.49% with Lagos State having the highest (481) and Sokoto State the lowest (38). After a thorough investigations and compliance with the law, 34 of those convictions were discharged representing 1.51%. Apart from convictions, recoveries were also made in-terms of money. For the purpose of the records and for history, the following monetary recoveries were made in the following states:
"Lagos - 70, 315, 911, 260. 52; Abuja - 1, 301, 864, 565. 43; Kano- 1, 782, 781, 764. 94; Maiduguri - 970, 424, 288. 76; Benin - 972, 058, 991. 00; Sokoto- 1, 928, 807, 015. 98; Illorin - 240, 960, 080. 44; Port Harcourt - 2, 149, 058, 169. 41; Makurdi -121, 350, 559. 00; Gombe - 385, 592, 413. 54; Uyo - 234, 006, 942. 00; Kaduna - 3, 339, 405, 723. 93; Enugu -768, 204, 344. 00; Ibadan - 325, 527, 633. 80 and Headquarters - 67, 249, 744, 994. 89".
The youths observed that since coming on board as chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has continued to set standards and achieving uncommon feats through innovative strategies in tackling economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
"He has prioritized Prevention of financial crimes through deliberate strategic actions designed to identify and address vulnerabilities within the relevant sectors of the economy. Bawa has also led the development of strategic advisories for informed policy decisions by the Government, including the implementation of Advance Cargo Declaration/Cargo Tracking Note for Crude Oil Exports to curb crude oil theft.
"These advisories have started to change the narrative in doing Government business while enhancing transparency and accountability in public expenditure. Enforcement action is guided by actionable intelligence aimed at achieving and sustaining measurable outcomes against crimes.
"The Bawa administration also embarked on internal reforms that transformed the Commission in line with international best practices. Barely 10 months in his one year tenure, the Commission developed 26 Departmental Standard Operating Procedures, and 21 policies & manuals to guide, standardize and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Commission. The commission also launched a 5-year strategic plan with clear objectives aimed at effective law enforcement action against Economic and Financial Crimes.
"Bawa has continued to redefine action against economic and financial crimes through renewed commitment and improved synergy with strategic alliance partners in law enforcement action. He amplified Nigeria’s commitment to the fight against corruption at the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly and called on global leaders to support the unconditional return of stolen assets to victim States for development financing and implementation of the agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
"At the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, Bawa also advocated for informal communication and intelligence sharing amongst relevant law enforcement agencies across the globe as a means to successful action against economic crimes. This position was applauded globally and formed the basis of several side events at the 9th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (CoSP to UNCAC) where Bawa stressed the importance of informal communication in international law enforcement cooperation and advocated on elimination of barriers to that effect.
"Only one year in office, Bawa has made a new history. We believe by the end of his first tenure Bawa will be able to legally recover Nigeria's loot that will fund one-year budget. Bawa has become the nightmare for internet fraudsters, corrupt politicians, and banks chiefs, among others.
"He has reinvigorated and collaboration with schools, mostly tertiary institutions, by extending culture reorientation in the younger Nigerians to shun corruption and do the right things always. Bawa also revived the engagement with our religious leaders through the inter-faith dialogue and development of corresponding manuals to facilitate conscious teaching of their followers for effective behaviour modification.
"The most interesting phenomenon about him is his collaboration with other agencies and MDA's in the country. The synergy is really working. Bawa disgorged all barriers to effective domestic law enforcement collaboration and activated the coordination mandate of the Commission on law enforcement cooperation.
"This kind of action, sincerity, hard work, commitment and dedication is what you get when you have a vibrant youth in the saddle who is educated, experience and knowledgeable. Mr Bawa is standing tall as an icon for a new Nigeria free of corruption, a symbol of hope for other youths.
'As a matter of national development, the Arewa Youths Assembly are pleading with the president to make room for more youths in his cabinet and in such strategic positions of leadership, so as to fight and restore the lost glory of our Father land, we need more of Abdulrasheed Bawa in Nigeria. In doing that, indeed, we will have the DAWN OF A NEW NIGERIA", the Arewa Youths Assembly stated. NNL.
