The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, has commended the nomination of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bawa was on Tuesday nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the EFCC which has been without a substantive head for nearly six years now.
In a statement on Tuesday following the announcement, the NUJ FCT expressed the hope that the confirmation of the new EFCC boss by the Senate will boost the war against corruption and reflect positively on the country’s anti-corruption rating.
“The NUJ FCT is confident that with a substantive leadership in place and one with the requisite and in-house know-how of the EFCC will boost the war against corruption and other financial crimes as well as reflect positively in the country’s corruption index rating,” the NUJ FCT said in a statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, chairman and secretary, respectively.
“For long the agency remained rudderless and with those in acting capacity walking on egg shells and trying to be politically correct. We remain optimistic that with the caliber of the new EFCC chairman with a vast experience in investigation, prosecution of advanced fee fraud, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering and other economic and financial crimes related offences, the anti-graft commission will witness a new lease of life and hopefully not be afraid to step on the toes of the corrupt rich and influential.
“Besides, settling for youth is cheering and should renew vigour and enthusiasm to safeguard the future of this country which has seen the peoples’ patrimony squandered by those entrusted with the country’s resources.
“We call on the Senate not to dither on this confirmation and work to have the confirmation hearing as quickly as possible,” the NUJ statement read.
Setting an agenda for the new EFCC chairman, the journalists union charged him to see his appointment as one of an ambassador that the youth of Nigeria can hold high office and deliver on the mandate.
