Abdulrasheed Bawa – Channels Television

VIDEO: I Am Very Much Okay, EFCC Boss Bawa Speaks From Home

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, says he is well and in good shape following the incident at an event on Thursday in Abuja.

Bawa, who spoke from his residence in the nation’s capital, featured as a guest on Politics Today hours after he was reported to have slumped at the event organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

“I am ok, you can see that I am very much ok,” he said on the Channels Television’s political programme. “Being the 16th of September, today is the National Identity Day and I was invited for a programme by NIMC, or specifically by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and while giving my goodwill message during the progamme, there was a bit of dizziness on me, and I had to excuse myself from the stage.

“Of course, I went straight to the hospital where the doctors confirmed to me that everything about me is ok, except for the fact that I am a bit dehydrated, and I need to take a lot of water.”

The EFCC chief revealed that he went straightaway from the hospital to his office to tidy up some things after which he headed home.

He thanks Nigerians for their prayers and good wishes, saying their actions meant a lot and have become a source of inspiration for him to forge ahead.

Bawa Is Hale And Hearty

A file photo of EFCC CHairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Earlier, Bawa was delivering a speech titled ‘Importance of Digital Identification’ in commemoration of the National Identity Day when he was said to have become emotional suddenly.

Attributing his demeanour to the death of a member of staff of the commission, the anti-graft agency’s boss stopped the speech abruptly and walked off the stage, sat in his chair and slumped.

He was immediately rushed out of the hall, accompanied by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, he later said Bawa was already in a stable condition.

The event continued thereafter.

Following the incident, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, corroborated the position of the minister in a statement, saying Bawa was in a good shape.

“The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa is hale and hearty,” the statement read.

“This clarification became necessary following an incident today September 16, 2021, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he was giving a goodwill message to the National Identity Day celebration, felt unwell and had to return to his seat.

“He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk.”

Bawa Is Hale and Hearty – EFCC

A File Photo of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa speaking in Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), has said its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, is hale and hearty.

A statement by the commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the clarification became necessary following the incident earlier on Thursday where the chairman slumped after giving a brief goodwill message.

“He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk,” Uwujaren said in the statement.

Bawa was speaking on the importance of digital identification in commemoration of the National Identity Day when he started to feel unwell and had to return to his seat before he slumped.

[UPDATE] EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa Slumps In Abuja

A File Photo of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa speaking to the press in Abuja.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Thursday slumped at a programme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Bawa was speaking on the importance of digital identification in commemoration of the National Identity Day when he suddenly became emotional, attributing his demeanour to the death of a member of staff of the commission.

He, however, did not give details of the person’s identity.

Shortly after, he said he couldn’t continue his speech and then walked off the stage, sat in his chair and slumped.

The EFCC boss was then immediately rushed out of the hall, accompanied by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami.

Mr Pantami later returned to the hall and said he was now in a stable condition.

The event continued thereafter.

Meanwhile, the Commission in a statement by its Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, has assured the public that Mr Bawa is hale and hearty.

“He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk,” the statement read in part.

We Arrested Over 1,500 Suspects In Six Months – EFCC Chairman

A combination of file photos of the EFCC logo and suspected fraudsters.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested hundreds of suspected fraudsters and recovered various sums in different currencies in the last six months.

EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, explained that the commission has been upfront as the central agency coordinating the fight against economic crime in Nigeria, saying several successes have been recorded since he took over the leadership of the anti-graft agency.

“From the time I took over as the Executive Chairman, on the 5th of March 2021, we have recovered over N6 billion, over $161 million, over £13,000, €1,730, 200 Canadian dollars, CFA 373,000, ¥8,430 and 30 real estates.

“We have arrested over 1500 internet fraudsters, many of whom are being prosecuted,” he was quoted as saying in a post shared on the EFCC’s Facebook page on Friday.

Bawa – attributing to available records – revealed that the EFCC has well over 3,408 convictions as of August 2021, while over N6 trillion has been expended so far on the war against terrorism since 2008.

He added that about N5.4 trillion was lost to tax evasion by multinational corporations operating in the country from 2011 to 2021, stressing that this was aside from the theft of resources in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

The EFCC chief believes all hope is not lost as Nigeria, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, has demonstrated commitment and political will in dealing with the issue of economic crimes through a number of legislative and institutional reforms.

Smuggling, Tax Evasion

Bawa made the remarks on Friday while presenting a paper entitled, “Combating of Crime, Corruption, and implication for Development and Security,” at the 38th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, according to the post by the EFCC.

His Deputy Chief of Staff, Sambo Mayana, represented him at the event organised by the Centre for International Documentation on Organised and Economic Crime (CIDOEC), Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

In his presentation, the EFCC boss called on leaders across the world to rise to the challenge of fighting corruption to enhance global economic development and security.

He lamented that economic and financial crimes, including corruption, which manifest in various forms in different nations, were at the core of global development and security challenges.

Citing a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD, Bawa said, “Resources that could support a country’s development are lost through criminal acts like corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, and others.

“The ‘spoiler’ effects on countries’ development processes are diverse and particularly severe for fragile states; economic crime, including illicit financial flows, diverts much-needed resources needed to rebuild countries’ public services, from security and justice to basic social services such as health and education.”

He stated that the absence of substantial improvement in the living condition of the people in Africa and the rest of the developing countries, in spite of their natural resources endowment, can be blamed on pervasive economic crimes taking place in such countries.

“The incidence of illegal mining, smuggling of goods, tax evasion, illegal oil bunkering, illegal arms deals, just to mention but a few does not allow the government to receive the full accruals from the (Africa) continent’s vast resources that are needed for development.

“The revenue generated are embezzled by government officials and their collaborators in the private sector; this does not allow for economic growth and by extension a hindrance to development,” said the EFCC chief.

Diezani: Bawa Clarifies Comment On Minister Who ‘Laundered $37m’ Through Real Estate

EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa while addressing journalists at the State House on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa has clarified his comment concerning a Minister who he said laundered $37 million through real estate.

Bawa, during an interview on Channels Television Breakfast Programme, Sunrise Daily on Tuesday explained how the commission investigated a female Minister, who he said, connived with the managing director of a bank to purchase a property worth $37 million.

The name of the Minister was, however, not disclosed during the interview.

The EFCC Boss, however, during the presidential media briefing on Thursday, said he was making reference to an old case involving the former Minister of Petroleum, Alison-Madueke and that she will be prosecuted once she is in the country.

The EFCC Chairman further disclosed that in his first one hundred days in office, the agency is working on a number of proactive strategies including a special control unit against money laundering, established particularly to address non-designated financial institutions, i.e the car dealers, real estate, jewelry dealers, among other.

The anti-graft agency had filed charges of money laundering against Alison-Madueke who left the country for the UK shortly before the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Former EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu had given an assurance Alison-Madueke will be repatriated to face financial crime charges levelled against her.

He revealed that the country where she is currently being held has not been able to establish any offence she has committed.

The commission had also disclosed that it had secured the final forfeiture of over $80 million worth of properties owned by the former minister.

EFCC Boss Says He Gets Death Threats

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa on Tuesday said some persons have threatened to kill him since he assumed office.

The anti-corruption agency boss stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily.

When he was asked to respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s frequent “Corruption is fighting back” expression, Bawa said he was in New York, USA, last week when someone called and made the death threat.

“Last week I was in New York when a senior citizen received a phone call from somebody that is not even under investigation.

“The person said on phone, ‘I am going to kill the EFCC Chairman. I am going to kill him.’

“That is to tell you how bad it is. It is actually real. Corruption can fight back,” he said.

When he was asked further by the presenter if he gets death threats, the EFCC boss said, “Yes! Yes!”

Corruption And Real Estate

Bawa during the interview revealed that grand corrupt activities are done through real estate.

The anti-graft agency boss said 90% of resources are being laundered through real estate.

He explained that there are so many issues involved, but that they were working with the National Assembly to stop what he called “the gatekeepers” as there would be a reduction in looting if there is no one to launder the money.

“One of the problems we have in this country now is the real estate. 90 to 100 per cent of the resources are being laundered through real estate. Although they are being regulated, that is not enough in terms of how they make their returns to the special control unit against money laundering.

“A lot of issues that we can talk all day about but I think this particular area if we get it right, you will see that it will not be fashionable for us to have these grand scale corruption.”

We Will Tame The Monster Of Corruption In Nigeria – EFCC Boss

FILE PHOTO: EFCC Boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was confirmed by the Senate on February 24, 2021.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa says he is optimistic that the anti-graft agency will tame the monster of corruption in the country.

Bawa said this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, when he was asked if the scope of corruption overwhelms him.

“Yes because if you look at it, almost everywhere there are elements of it (corruption). No, because I am very optimistic we will succeed in taming the monster of corruption in this country.

“I am very optimistic and with the efforts of the government. One of the cardinal principles of the President’s administration is to fight corruption and we in the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies saddled with this responsibility… we are doing our best and trying to curtail it.”

The EFCC boss speaking further on steps that will be taken in taming corruption in the country said the agency is engaging with religious leaders.

“Nigeria is a very religious country and that is why one of the issues that we do in public enlightenment is to engage with leaders of religious bodies. We are soon going to launch our interface with the Christian and Islamic communities to engage them on the ills of corruption.

“We have already designed the manual for that.”

Forty-year-old Bawa was appointed EFCC Boss by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 16.

The President also asked the Senate to confirm him describing him in a statement as a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advance Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes.

Upon resumption of office on March 9, he called for a renewed commitment to the anti-graft campaign by all staff through dedicated service, devoid of sloppiness and other forms of indiscipline.

During his screening by the Senate, Bawa vowed that the constitution will guide his actions as the EFCC Chairman.

Embrace Hard Work And Shun Cybercrime, EFCC Tells Students, Corps Members

File photo of the EFCC Chairman Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Nigerian students and Youth Corps members to embrace hard work and shun any involvement in computer-related frauds.

The Zonal Head of the Lagos Office, Ghali Ahmed, gave the charge on Wednesday during a reorientation programme for tertiary students in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Ahmed, who was represented by the EFCC Head of Public Affairs Directorate in Lagos, Ayo Oyewole, said the warning had become imperative, following the alarming rate of youths’ involvement in all forms of social vices across the country.

“There is no better time to sensitize and encourage our students and youths to shun all forms of criminal tendencies and imbibe desirable attitudes necessary for national development and better future than now,” he said.

“I want you to embrace the virtue of hard work. There is no shortcut to wealth and fame. Acts of criminality might give you instant wealth, but there will be misery and gnashing of teeth in the end. An ostentatious and flamboyant lifestyle, without corresponding hard work, is perilous.

“You are not to be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign; rather, you should be the foot soldiers of the fight by becoming change agents and help mould the minds of the younger ones everywhere you go, so that the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes can be far-reaching.

“It is of great importance to keep reminding you as youths that you are critical stakeholders in curbing corruption.”

Ghali also advised the youth to always deploy their talents and ingenuity to good use, saying the nation would be better off for it.

Meanwhile, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been charged to be change agents in the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.

The Head of EFCC Benin Zonal Office, Muhtar Bello, stated this today during a meeting with members of the NYSC/EFCC anti-corruption Community Development groups.

The Benin Zonal Head who educated the corps members on the activities of the Commission said the youths have a critical role to play in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

He said, “Corp members are dynamic young men and women whose energy can be harnessed. We want you to become foot soldiers and whistleblowers in areas of your primary assignment. We also want you to become good examples in discipline, transparency, integrity and accountability because you cannot give what you don’t have.”

He also charged the Corps members to imbibe the culture of excellence as future leaders of the country and to shun all forms of criminality.

EFCC Belongs To All, Not For Anybody – Bawa

File photo of EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) belongs to all Nigerians and not to anybody.

This is according to the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who stated this on Monday while receiving members of a civil society organization, Civil Society Coalition for Transparency and Good Governance at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

While calling on all Nigerians to embrace the fight against corruption, Bawa said the anti-graft agency cannot win the war alone.

“EFCC belongs to all Nigerians and it is not for anybody,” he was quoted as saying via a statement issued by the commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren.

Anti-graft War: EFCC Needs All Nigerians on Board – Bawa
The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has stressed the need for all Nigerians to embrace the fight against corruption…
For details, visithttps://t.co/d9kVFn7w1Y pic.twitter.com/gMeZ4K8mla
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) April 19, 2021

“We realised long ago that the work of the EFCC is not something that can be done alone. Civil Society Organizations and Individuals are all stakeholders because Nigeria is the only country we have.”

Bawa also assured that the EFCC will partner with civil society organizations to ensure that “the mandate of the Commission and what we stand for, which is ensuring good governance, is imbibed and the country is rid of corruption.”

Speaking also, the Vice President of CSCTGG, Nse Victor Udeh, lamented the negative impact of corruption on the country.

He said if the country had functional health, education, aviation, road and other infrastructure, “We will have less to worry about,” adding that “apart from scarce resources, corruption is responsible for the failure of public infrastructures.”

“We as civil society are offering ourselves as those who will continue to project the message of ‘say no to corruption’ in whatever form,” he assured.

We Will Fight Corruption With Rule Of Law – Bawa

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has reiterated the commission’s commitment to fighting corruption within the ambits of the law.

Speaking in Kano during his maiden visit to the Zonal Office of the EFCC, Bawa said what distinguished the anti-graft agency at inception was strict adherence to the rule of law.

“There were no new laws that other law enforcement agencies were not empowered to enforce; the only thing that made EFCC unique, is adherence to the rule of law,” he said on Saturday.

“We allow the law to take its cause. Once someone crosses the line, we will do our job with civility and charge them to court to answer for their crime.”

The EFCC boss also charged the staff to adhere to the commission’s core values which are professionalism, integrity and courage, in the discharge of their duties.

Bawa urged workers to renew their commitment to work in order to ensure the agency’s success, noting that while not expecting perfection from the staff, his appointment as chairman should inspire young officers to aim for greatness.

He further called the staff to shun indiscipline and corruption as such vices would not be tolerated in the Commission.

“There are pioneer officers of the Commission who have worked hard to make the EFCC what it is by sheer determination and courage and that is what we need to uphold and remember We need to always remember where we are coming from so as to know where we are headed, ” he added.

On the issue of reforming the Commission, the EFCC boss disclosed that he had set up committees to look at the issues of digitalization of the database, Standard Operations Procedure, Staff welfare, among others.

He also assured that the agency under his watch will be proactive in its approach to fighting corruption.

We’ll Rid Nigeria Of Corruption – Bawa Vows

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has reiterated his commitment to rid Nigeria of corruption, saying rule of law and fear of God shall be his guiding principles.

He identified corruption as an encumbrance hampering the sustainable growth of the country, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck to deal with the menace.

Bawa disclosed this on Friday, March 26, 2021, while featuring on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) special interview programme – ‘One-on-One’.

“We need to change our attitudes in Nigeria. We are in the habit of worshipping people that have money in society, but never bother to ask questions about their source of income. In winning the fight against corruption, we are engaging all stakeholders including religious leaders, community leaders, and others. We are going to embark on massive public enlightenment to sensitise people on the need to shun corruption in all its forms,” he asserted.

The EFCC boss, who vowed to fight corruption with all his powers as allowed by law, said: “I will continue to do what is right. The Commission under my watch will continue to abide by the rule of law. If anybody asks me to do anything contrary to my conscience or against the rule of law, I will resign my appointment”.

He stated that fighting corruption was an onerous task that should not be left in the hands of EFCC alone and urged Nigerians to stop glorifying corruption and corrupt people in the society.

Bawa vowed that the EFCC under his watch would not relent in its determined efforts to bringing all corrupt elements, high or low in this country to justice. “We have just created Directorate of Intelligence. We need to re-engage ourselves with all our stakeholders in the fight against corruption because this is something we cannot do alone, all hands must be on deck,” he noted.

On the directive that all bankers should declare their assets before June 1, 2021, the anti-graft czar said there is no going back on the directive noting that, “laws permit the Commission to investigate assets of public officers including bankers”.

“There is a law called Bank Employee Declaration of Assets, Act 1986. We are not saying they should declare their assets to us. What we are saying is that they should declare it to the statutory bodies. We are going to be calling for it. As a Commission, we need to know what you have as a banker. Come June 1, 2021, we are going to be asking for it.” the EFCC boss insisted.

Responding to another question on the ongoing corruption cases in various Courts across the country, he said the Commission was making steady progress by securing the conviction of offenders and getting them to restitute their victims of whatever they had illegally acquired. “Our lawyers are doing well and the judiciary too is marvelous”, he added.

On alleged media trial by the EFCC, Bawa said that “there is nothing like media trial. It’s part of our responsibilities to let the public know about our activities and what we are doing to sanitise the country. This is enshrined in Section 6 of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.”

He further stated that any case filed in court is a public document that anybody can apply to the court to access.

EFCC To Demand Assets Declaration From Bankers, Says Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will be demanding the assets declaration forms of all bankers across the country.

Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, the chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, announced that bankers would be required to present the forms from June 1.

He briefed reporters on Tuesday following a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in the nation’s capital.

“The EFCC, come June 1, 2021, will be demanding these assets forms filled by the bankers and for us to see that the line that we have drawn from June 1 is fully complied with by all, bankers in particular,” the EFCC chief said.

He explained that the commission took the decision as a result of concerns raised on the roles played by bankers in the fight against corruption.

Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa says the EFCC will ensure bankers comply with the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act.

Bawa stated that this was because criminals would always want to have access to the proceeds of their crime.

He noted that bankers would be asked to declare their assets and the commission would ensure that all employees in the nation’s banking industry comply with the directive.

The EFCC chief said, “The assurance that I am going to give Nigerians going forward is that we will do our best to ensure that this country is free of economic and financial crimes.

“We understood that the tail end of every financial crime is for the criminals to have access to the funds that he or she has illegitimately gotten, and we are worried about the roles of financial institutions.”

“God willing, we hope that all financial institutions, particularly the bankers will declare their assets as provided for by the law in accordance with the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act,” he added.

Tag: Abdulrasheed Bawa