It has been reported that Major-General Muhammadu Buhari’s new nominee for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Bawa, is a cousin of the Minister of “Justice” and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Alhaji Abubakar Malami, whose Ministry oversees the activities of EFCC.

It is also reported that the said Abdulrasheed Bawa was being investigated by EFCC under the immediate past acting Chairman of EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu, for some serious infractions supposedly in collusion with his cousin, the AGF, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, who recommended the nominee to Mr President for appointment as the new EFCC Chairman.

The so called ‘experience’ and qualifications of the new nominee for EFCC Chairman are believed to be overblown out of proportion and a deceptive make believe, carefully tailored to suit, for a 2005 or thereabout cadet of EFCC.

By the way, does it mean that nobody in the entire South of Nigeria has ever been considered “qualified” to be Chairman of EFCC since all previous Chairpersons of EFCC from inception to date including the present nominee are all from the North of Nigeria; which is a clear contradiction and breach of the Federal Character provision of the operating Constitution of Nigeria.

Further to paragraph 3 above, the present rank of this nominee is the equivalent of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), contrary to the provisions of the EFCC ACT which stipulates a minimum rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) or equivalent in other security outfits for the position of EFCC Chairman.

So, for the Senate to confirm this nominee, the EFCC ACT must first be amended to accommodate his junior rank status.

The nominee is barely 16 years in service with so many senior officers and Directors above him in the system.

Will his seniors in service now be subordinated to him or be made to compulsorily retire from service prematurely because of him for no fault of theirs?

If Nigeria is a country where the rule of law prevails, then, the confirmation of this nominee by the Senate is dead on arrival.

All the above among others calls for further and thorough investigation by the Senate.

Therefore, the Senate should not allow itself to be stampeded to hurriedly confirm the appointment of this nominee without carrying out the needful due diligence.

The Senate should ensure that the needful balance to make other parts of Nigeria feel and have a sense of belonging in line with the provisions of the operating Constitution of Nigeria is taken care of in this case.

The Senate should also use this opportunity to prove to the entire world and acquit itself of not being a mere rubber stamp to the whims and caprices of the Executive arm of government and Mr President in particular.

•Prof. Echefuna' R. G. ONYEBEADI writes from Abuja.

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