By Lola Seriki-Idahosa, Kaduna
Tracereporters –Following calls by several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the removal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa, another group, Northwest Coalition of Anti Corruption have declared their support for AbdulRasheed’s saying that those calling for his removal are out to tarnish his image.
The Northwest Coalition led by Comrade Hamza Abidin Danlima, of the Corruption Tackers Initiatives (TCTI), raised an alarm at a Press Conference on Friday, alleging that people with high profile cases are the ones using the CSOs against the EFCC Chairman.
He warned the CSOs to focus on their primary roles and responsibilities and stop working as agents of destabilization.
“The civil society organization and the rule of law are faced with a scenario in which the ruling class’s dedication to the rule of law is at odds with their preferred leadership style.
“The executive branch of government and occasionally the legislature have demonstrated that the process of equality and supremacy of law is still being fully ingrained in Nigeria’s democracy by the arbitrary abuse of positions of authority and non-compliance with judicial rulings. CSOs have persisted in their efforts to expose these systemic inconsistencies, nevertheless.
“A protest led by a CSO, calling for removal of EFCC CHAIRMAN and to tarnish the good image of the current EFCC Chairman is not what the civil society organization stood for but adhere to the rule of law and the constitution is our utmost goal and objective.
“The EFCC chairman has a constitutional duty to perform, please we urge the CSO to challenge authority base on rule of law and constitutional provisions.” He said.
Hamza, noted that his organization; Corruption Tracker Initiative has been collaborating with EFCC in the fight against the common enemy called corruption.
“We urge other civil society organization to tread on that part of honour.
“We call on President Mohammadu Buhari as a matter of urgency to direct the Anthony General, Security Chiefs and other relevant authority to give the EFCC every necessary lagal support to do their work without intimidation or blackmail.
“We call on Inspector General of police to swing into action with immediate effect to unravel those corrupt public official behind this campaign of blackmail and such persons should face the wrath of the law.”
“The Northwest coalition of Anti corruption will not hesitate to mobilize one million man match in each of the Northwest state to protest against this corrupt officials.” he added.
It will be recalled that a group of over 50 CSOs had converged in Lagos in protest for the removal of the EFCC Chairman, early February and another; Coalition of Kebbi Students, also called for his removal few days ago over his consistent disobedience of court orders.
Below is the full text.
Gentlemen and ladies of the press, CSO’s here present other stakeholders, you are welcome to yet another press conference today 24/02/2023. The coalition of Northwest Anticorruption civil society organizations is an umbrella body for all Anti-corruption CSO in the Northwest, it was created to foster harmonious working relationship among CSO’s and to share information on how better to support government in fighting corruption. This group exist under the leadership of Comrade Hamza Abidin of the Corruption Tackers Initiatives.THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION IN ANTI CORRUPTION AND NATION BUILDING The roles played by civil society organizations are more prominent. It is not unexpected that they are sometimes referred to as the fourth organ of government or as a crucial “third” sector. Whereas John Keene, who was mentioned by Mahmood Mamdani, described civil society as “A sort of political association which places its members under the influence of laws, secured peace, order and good government”.Promotion of democratic values: In modern democracies, the democratization process is viewed as being equated with the emergence of civil society organizations. Encourages the state to be responsive, responsible, and good stewards of its resources Objective policy analysis and advocacy: Through their policy analysis and advocacy, civil society organizations may support and advance good governance.Building social capital and enabling citizens to identify and articulate their values, beliefs, civic norms, and democratic practices are among other primary functions which include mobilizing specific constituencies, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized sections of the masses, to participate more in public affairs and development works to improve the wellbeing of people and emphasize the following roles of civil society organizations: Intervening and warning: bringing up urgent issues, such as responding to harm done to individuals or groups, as well as risks to the democratic system and civil rights;“Naming and shaming” pushing and reminding, such as that certain law should be passed or measures should be taken.Supporting the implementation of real reforms, such as adopted laws, international agreements and/or court rulings.EXTOLLING THE VIRTUES OF EFCC CHAIRMAN.In 2004, Abdulrasheed Bawa began working for the EFCC as an Assistant Detective Superintendent (ADS).
He was chosen in October 2015 to lead the commission’s inquiries against Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum resources, and her accomplices. He has participated in the prosecution of offenses such as money laundering, bank fraud, official corruption, and advance fee fraud. He is the current EFCC chairman who is the youngest.
He received training from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).Abdulrasheed Bawa revealed that the anti-graft organization has taken back almost N30 billion from Idris Ahmed, the suspended former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).Ahmed is being prosecuted by the Commission for an alleged N109 billion fraud.
Giving a breakdown of the achievements of the anti-graft body from January to December, 2022, he gave other recoveries as N134,33,759,574.25, $121,769,076.30, £21,020.00, €156,925.00, ¥21,350.00, CFA300,000.00 among others.Bawa also revealed that over 3,615 convictions were recorded within the period, adding that the administration is serious about its anti-corruption programme.
The EFCC boss announced that following the nationwide auction of forfeited automobiles, it will be followed by the disposal of over 150 houses to interested buyers.CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICIALS USING CSO TO CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF EFCC CHAIRMAN AND TARNISH THE IMAGE OF THE CURRENT EFCC CHAIRMAN.The civil society organization and the rule of law are faced with a scenario in which the ruling class’s dedication to the rule of law is at odds with their preferred leadership style.
The executive branch of government and occasionally the legislature have demonstrated that the process of equality and supremacy of law is still being fully ingrained in Nigeria’s democracy by the arbitrary abuse of positions of authority and non-compliance with judicial rulings. CSOs have persisted in their efforts to expose these systemic inconsistencies, nevertheless.
A protest led by a CSO, calling for removal of EFCC CHAIRMAN and to tarnish the good image of the current EFCC Chairman is not what the civil society organization stood for but adhere to the rule of law and the constitution is our utmost goal and objective .
The EFCC chairman has a constitutional duty to perform, please we urge the CSO to challenge authority base on rule of law and constitutional provisions.The Corruption tracker initiative has been collaborating with EFCC in the fight against the common enermy called corruption .we urge other civil society organization to trend on that part of honour.
The Northwest coalition of Anti-corruption wish to categorically state as follows:-We call on president Mohammadu Buhari as a matter of urgency to direct the Anthony General, Security Chiefs and other relevant authority to give the EFCC every necessary lagal support to do their work without intimidation or blackmail. We call on inspector general of police to swing into action with immediate effect to uinravel those corrupt public official behind this campaign of blackmail and such persons should face the wrath of the law.Conclusion.The Northwest coalition of Anti corruption will not hesitate to mobilize one million man match in each of the Northwest state to protest against this corrupt officials.The corporate affairs commission should be more rigourous in registering CSO in Nigeria. Thank you
