Why I Recommended Bawa For EFCC Job — AGF, Malami

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says
he recommended Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on his competence and
capacity to deliver.

In an interview with Daily
Trust^[1], Malami
said he is happy that the comments against Bawa’s nomination did
not have anything to do with his competence.

Bawa, 40, was confirmed by the senate in February as the
substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency following his
nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ibrahim Magu, his predecessor and former acting chairman of the
EFCC, was suspended and later removed from office over allegations
of corruption.

In the interview, Malami said four names were sent to President
Muhammadu Buhari but Bawa was eventually picked.

The justice minister said the EFCC chairman will add value to
the fight against corruption.

“I am happy that most of the comments made are not on his
capacity, intelligence, competence and associated ability to
deliver. His capacity to deliver was never questioned across the
nation,” he said.

“The question is whether justice has been served, whether public
interest has been served having the chairman appointed with a
particular regard to his capacity and ability to deliver.

“My answer is yes. He has the capacity, ability and
institutional history of the institution to do justice by way of
bringing about added value.

“[Bawa] has held various authorities, inclusive of serving in
various divisions as the head of operations, including Port
Harcourt, Lagos and Ibadan which are adjudged to be the high
point.”

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says
he recommended Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on his competence and
capacity to deliver.

In an interview with Daily
Trust^[1], Malami
said he is happy that the comments against Bawa’s nomination did
not have anything to do with his competence.

Bawa, 40, was confirmed by the senate in February as the
substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency following his
nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ibrahim Magu, his predecessor and former acting chairman of the
EFCC, was suspended and later removed from office over allegations
of corruption.

In the interview, Malami said four names were sent to President
Muhammadu Buhari but Bawa was eventually picked.

The justice minister said the EFCC chairman will add value to
the fight against corruption.

“I am happy that most of the comments made are not on his
capacity, intelligence, competence and associated ability to
deliver. His capacity to deliver was never questioned across the
nation,” he said.

“The question is whether justice has been served, whether public
interest has been served having the chairman appointed with a
particular regard to his capacity and ability to deliver.

“My answer is yes. He has the capacity, ability and
institutional history of the institution to do justice by way of
bringing about added value.

“[Bawa] has held various authorities, inclusive of serving in
various divisions as the head of operations, including Port
Harcourt, Lagos and Ibadan which are adjudged to be the high
point.”