Bawa On Fighting Corruption: I Will Resign My Appointment If…
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has reiterated his commitment to rid Nigeria of corruption, saying rule of law and fear of God shall be his guiding principles.
Bawa disclosed this on Friday, March 26, while featuring on a Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, special interview programme, “One-on-One” anchored by ace broadcaster, Cyril Stober.
TheFact Nigeria reports that, while identifying corruption as an encumbrance hampering the sustainable growth of the country, the EFCC chief stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to deal with the menace.
“We are in the habit of worshipping people that have money in the society, but never bother to ask questions about their source of income. In winning the fight against corruption, we are engaging all stakeholders including religious leaders, community leaders and others”, he stated.
Bawa disclosed that the Commission is set to embark on massive public enlightenment campaigns to sensitise people on the need to shun corruption in all its forms, saying, “We need to change our attitudes in Nigeria”.
The EFCC boss, who vowed to fight corruption with all his powers as allowed by law, said: “I will continue to do what is right. The Commission under my watch will continue to abide by the rule of law. If anybody asks me to do anything contrary to my conscience or against the rule of law, I will resign my appointment”.
He noted that fighting corruption is an onerous task, one that should not be left in the hands of the EFCC alone, and urged Nigerians to stop glorifying corruption and corrupt people in the society.
He further vowed that the EFCC under his watch would not relent in its determined efforts to bringing all corrupt elements, high or low in this country to justice.
“We have just created Directorate of Intelligence. We need to re-engage ourselves with all our stakeholders in the fight against corruption because this is something we cannot do alone, all hands must be on deck,” he said.
Commenting on the directive for all bankers to declare their assets before June 1, 2021, the anti-graft czar said there is no going back on the directive, noting that laws permit the Commission to investigate assets of public officers including bankers.
“There is a law called Bank Employee Declaration of Assets, Act 1986. We are not saying they should declare their assets to us. What we are saying is that they should declare it to the statutory bodies. We are going to be calling for it.
As a Commission, we need to know what you have as a banker. Come June 1, 2021, we are going to be asking for it.” Bawa insisted.
Responding to a question on the ongoing corruption cases in various courts across the country, he said the Commission is making steady progress by securing conviction of offenders and getting them to restitute their victims of whatever they had illegally acquired.
“Our lawyers are doing well and the judiciary too is marvellous”, he added.
He however said, “there is nothing like media trial”, when asked about alleged media trial by the EFCC.
“It’s part of our responsibilities to let the public know about our activities and what we are doing to sanitise the country. This is enshrined in Section 6 of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.”
He further stated that, any case filed in court is a public document that anybody can apply to court to access.
