Before the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999, the country had no full-fledged agency saddled with the responsibility of fighting graft and other financial-related crimes except the Nigerian Police hence the decision by the visionary administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo to set up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent corrupt practices and other related offenses Commission (ICPC).
The two sister agencies with similar mandates of fighting economic crimes, financial sleaze in the public sector, and other associated offenses without doubts have made their respective marks since they began full operations earning kudos and knocks from Nigerians in the process.
However, one malaise that has dogged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which is the subject of my treatise is perhaps the way and manner past chairmen of the anti-graft body were hounded out of office despite their accomplishments right from the days of Malam Nuhu Ribadu to the time of the Immediate past chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa.
NUHU RIBADU
Ribadu’s case was most heart-wrenching, As the Pioneer head of the commission he was responsible for laying the foundation and necessary institutional framework upon which the commission still sits to date a feat that has earned him recognition globally. But what did Ribadu get in return when he tried to prosecute someone who was seen to be in the good books of the then-powers that be in the country? He was unceremoniously matched out of the graduation ceremony of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, but it did not end there he was again demoted from his esteemed position of assistant inspector general of police (AIG). Ribadu had to flee from the country at the height of his persecution in a self-imposed exile.
FARIDA WAZIRI
In the case of Farida Waziri, the shoes of Ribadu were too big for her to fill, she couldn’t secure any noticeable achievement during her reign other than laying the foundation for the head office building. The trained lawyer and retired police commissioner was also accused of covering up for some politicians and shielding them from prosecution. She was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan citing National Interest as the reason for her ouster.
IBRAHIM LAMORDE
Her successor Ibrahim Lamorde who reigned for four years mostly serving onan acting capacity had his fair share of controversy when he was accused by the Peter Nwaboashi-led senate committee which accused him of diverting monies and properties recovered by the anti-graft agency. Lamorde later returned to the police force where he retired as a Deputy Inspector General of Police, he was never arrested nor prosecuted.
IBRAHIM MAGU
From the moment of his appointment to the day he was kicked out of office, the term of Ibrahim Magu at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was fraught with controversy.
Taciturn-looking, always wearing his black suits excerpts on rear occasions where he adorns his flowing white agbada, Magu as described by his colleagues is no no-nonsense police officer and crack investigator. The commission under Magu undertook several audacious investigations and prosecutions.
In a sudden twist of events, Magu was arrested by Operatives of the Department of State Security Services and driven straight to the Presidential villa where he was made to answer questions on alleged corrupt practices before a panel chaired by retired appeal court president Ayo Salami.
Magu will later be suspended from office pending the completion of the investigation. He never came back to the office.
ABDULRASHEED BAWA
Appointed the Chairman of the commission after having held several command positions in the EFCC most noticeably as the Zonal Head of the Port-Harcourt office, the young anti-graft Czar came into the National limelight at a time the nation was in desperate need of a redeemer who would turn around the fortunes of the body who’s ratings have continued to nosedive.
His performance at his Senate screening was nothing short of spectacular as he was spot on answering all the questions directed at him having been a foundational staff of the agency and the first nonpolice officer to be appointed to the exalted role of Chairman.
Nigerians were however taken aback when President Bola Tinubu suspended Bawa from his position as Chairman of the EFCC over alleged abuse of office.
MEMO TO OLA OLUKAYODE
With the background painted above one will understand that no chairman from the inception of the commission has ever had a very smooth sail as the work of an anti-graft czar is not a simple walk in the garden. So it then behooves you, Mr. Ola to take up this responsibility with all seriousness and ferocity it deserves and you must be impartial.
Your tour of duty will require you to fight off the hyenas and the baboons that have held our country to ransome, those who have and continue to pilfer our God-given resources for their selfish interest, those who have continued to stunt our growth by abusing their sacred oaths of office.
Mr Chairman, you are on the cusp of history your actions or inactions may make or mar you as you have seen the fate that befell your predecessors some of whom you’ve personally worked with.
A word is enough for the wise!
Gaddafi writes from Abuja. He can be reached at IbrahimGaddafi0@gmail.com.
____
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2023 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
