Deploy ICT, Preventive measures in tackling Corruption, ANEEJ Urges Bawa

Benin City, Nigeria. February 25, 2021… Anti-Corruption Watchdog and leading Civil Society Organisation working on anti-corruption issues in Nigeria, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has charged the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa to effectively deploy Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and preventive measures in tackling corruption in the country.

Executive Director of ANEEJ and member Presidential Committee on Asset Disposal, Rev David Ugolor gave the charge today on the wake of the Senate confirmation of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the Chairman of EFCC.

“His confirmation is welcomed by Civil Society Organisations working on corruption, transparency and accountability issues since this is the first time, we are having a substantive Chairman of EFCC, confirmed by the Nigerian parliament since coming on board of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. We watched the Senate’s grilling session where Bawa committed to serve Nigeria patriotically and with the fear of God and as a young man, with a proven track record, who grew from the ranks in the EFCC, we have no doubts whatsoever that Abdulrasheed Bawa will live up to national expectation,” Ugolor said.

“From our experience working on the issue of grand corruption in the field, we know the enormity of the problem that the young man has been saddled to tackle. He has very powerful persons in the society to handle. Elsewhere in the world, Information and Communication technology has helped a great deal, such that before you go for arrest, you would have secured all evidence to prosecute a suspect.

“Also, we believe that this is the time for both government, private sector and the donor community to invest in ICT equipment to prevent grand corruption from happening across the MDAs in the first place.” Ugolor advised.

He implored the new EFCC boss “to raise some multi-stakeholder think-tanks that would work closely with him and government to make this happen in his time, as according to the activist, “Abdulrasheed Bawa belongs to the age of technology and cannot afford to fail in this important national assignment.”

Rev David Ugolor premixed his advice to the new EFCC boss on the fact that Nigeria has not been doing well in various international anti-graft ratings in the past six years and there is need to change tactics and the rules of engagement. “You cannot be using one method over the years and expect a different result.” Ugolor emphasized.

“At the moment, the whole world is watching Nigeria. The Whole world would want to see how we would enforce the United Nations convention against corruption (UNCAC), the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles, the Open Government Partnership commitments, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) principles, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) commitments, among several others Nigeria has entered into and Abdulrasheed Bawa must be on top of these commitments and make heavy global networks and contacts for him  to succeed as EFCC Chairman,” David Ugolor said.

Ugolor assured that he and the CSO community in Nigeria working on the various issues are prepared to work with Abdulrasheed Bawa in order for him to succeed.

It would be recalled that following a letter from President Muhmmadu Buhari, appointing the 40-year-old, in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part 1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004, the Senate yesterday confirmed Abdulrasheed Bawa, as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

For ther information, please contact 08187674339 or info@aneej.org and follow us on twitter, Instagram and facebook: @aneejnigria, @Latakpu, aneej__nigeria and facebook.com/aneejnigeria