By Joy Baba Yesufu
Corrupt politicians, procured court injunctions, inter agency rivalry and the ‘cabals’ have been identified as the bane behind the several stalls in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of ‘Civil Society Alliance for Eradication of Corruption’ while addressing press on Thursday in Abuja on the calls from some quarters for the removal of Abdulrasheed Bawa, as the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The coalition said these forces influence outcome of investigations and situations whereby the commission goes ahead, they come up with procured court injunctions to stall further investigations.
They maintained that this attitude has stalled several anti-corruption battles been investigated upon by the commission, and has often times led to collision of interest as Bawa is left with no option to either respect court order or go ahead with the investigation so as to recover the looted loot.
The CSOs further said that, calls for sack and removal of Bawa at this transition period is a wrong idea that will further defeat the already established fight against some political office holders most of whom will no longer enjoy immunity and thus makes investigation easily done.
According to the coalition “Bawa should be allowed to complete the ongoing investigation of some of the political office holders, including that of the ruling party. We are sure these are part of those calling for his removal, which we stand against and advice the outgoing government to ensure that such calls are not listened to but instead make him more focus in delivering his mandate.
“The flimsy excuse under which they are calling for his removal, is selective disobedience to court rulings. We all know, the standard rule if such occurs, it’s for the complainant to approach court and charge him for contempt not call for outright removal.
“At times, we also know that under corrupt charges some court rules need to be further tested before obeyed as it can truncate an ongoing investigation.
“Under same Bawa, the commission has recorded 3,785 convictions and still counting, but to our surprise this was not celebrated by anyone but rather a frivolous call for his removal is what we are seeing. His removal now, will further portray us in bad light in the international community as not serious to build strong institution that we need to build to ensure that our looted funds are recovered and plunged back to the economy.
“We also, wish to advice the President elect not to listen to these nay sayers as Bawa will no doubt assist in bringing to book and make to face justice hidden corruption and recovery of loots that the government will need to stabilize with because we can’t be on a borrowing spleen again as a nation.
They passed a vote of confidence on Bawa urging him to him to carry on with delivery of his mandate and further deepen the anti-graft agency.
