The suspension of EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa did not surprise Transparency International, according to Auwal Rafsanjani, head of the organization’s Nigerian branch.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Mr Rafsanjani, who is also the executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), made this statement.
In a statement released by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu stated the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) had been suspended (SGF).
A number of “heavy allegations of misuse of office” were made against Mr Bawa, which led to his suspension.
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Following his suspension, Mr Bawa has since received an invitation from the SSS for questioning.
The fact that the EFCC heads have always been fired by past administrations or governments when they take office means that “the suspension did not surprise us.
“With this development, in regards to the EFCC chairman’s departure, we believe that already we knew that he was going to be dismissed due to so many potential political interests and changes.”
He claimed that given his appointment and affiliation, Mr Bawa might not be retained by Mr Tinubu.
“Everything connected to that will be something he wants to eliminate.
“There are certain political motivations as well. Several government-affiliated lawmakers obviously have concerns with the current suspended EFCC chairman and are therefore probably not happy to have him there.”
“The EFCC office has been unintentionally made too much political,” Mr. Rafsanjani continued.
“As a result, it is difficult to carry out the duties that a government agency is typically responsible for.
I’m not surprised because we need to consider it in that context and from that angle.
To counter this, Mr. Rafsanjani stated that “what is vital is that we must urge and demand that the anti-corruption and good work of agencies, including EFCC, must continue in the country.”
Also, he suggested that while choosing the next EFCC chairman, the government look outside of politics.
“I believe that making the next one’s office a technical professional office should come first and foremost while making the appointment.
Make it less political by eliminating its use to settle political disputes.
He stated, “We need to have a credible, experienced, fair-minded person to fulfil that role.
