Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] has on Tuesday 16th February absolved its new Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of allegations of corruption.
It would be recalled that moments after Bawa was announced as the new Chairman of the Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari, reports surfaced online of his involvement in corruption activities. However, the Commission deny the corruption allegation.
EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Tuesday said, “The Commission wishes to state categorically that Mr. Bawa was never arrested or detained over sales of any assets.”
“As zonal head of the Port Harcourt office of the commission in 2019, Bawa’s responsibilities did not include sales of assets as the commission has a full-fledged Directorate of Assets Forfeiture and Recovery Management, which remits such matters.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the disposal of finally forfeited trucks in the Port Harcourt Zonal Office through public auction, was conducted after the exit of Bawa as zonal head. It is therefore illogical for him to have been indicted over an auction that was not superintended by him.”
“The auction of trucks at the Port Harcourt Office was among the issues examined by the Justice Ayo Salami Panel, leading to the suspension of some officers of the commission. The commission, therefore, enjoins the public to disregard the false publication which is believed to be sponsored by mischief makers to impugn the integrity of the EFCC chairman-designate.” The statement concluded.