Andy Asemota

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa by President Muhammad Buhari as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) in accordance with the anti-graft agency’s establishment act.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, declared Mr. Bawa confirmed after the upper chamber of the National Assembly resolved that the 40 year old certified anti-money laundering specialist and certified fraud examiner  had proved his mentle eloquently and should take a bow and go.

“We have been on this for over two hours; we still have about 14 senators , who are ready with questions after the nominee has responded to questions from no fewer than 18 senators,” noted Lawan shortly before the Senate finally cleared the nominee.

Lawan had earlier maintained that the nominee would face no holds-barred screening of the whole assembly, saying “this is a very important exercise for us and this country. The EFCC has in over six years been presided over by an acting chairman. This exercise is part of the efforts for EFCC to have a substantive chairman with all the power.”

Senate confirms Bawa as EFCC Chairman

Fielding questions from the law makers, Bawa, who vowed that he would leave the commission a better place than he met, declared: “In all my career at EFCC, the existing laws have always and will always guide our conduct.”

The anti-corruption czar also assured that “one thing I will do differently, sir, is leading by example” in all ramifications to reposition the agency.

On factor that differentiates the EFCC from its counterparts across the world, he declared: “I believe that adequate funding can change the face of the law enforcement in this country.”

Most of the senators, in their separate contributions, expressed optimism that the nation would have cause to be proud of the nominee, going by his antecedents, courage, understanding of the subject matter of his tasks, wisdoms and vibrancy so far.

The Deputy Senate President, Victor Omo-Agege, summarised the praises showered on the nominee thus: “I am so impressed with his awesome presentation. Bawa bow and go. I have no seen any nominee as eloquent  as this nominee. Clearly, he is a very brilliant young man. I believe he should take a bow and go but he is a good product that should be given the opportunity to further show case himself.”