Civil Society Organisations under the aegis of the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative have threatened to mobilise thousands of their members to protest at the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the State House if the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, refuses to comply with the court orders in 72 hours.
A statement issued in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the group, Okpokwu Ogenyi, described Bawa as a vibrant young man who has been committed to prison on two different occasions over contempt.
The development is coming hours after members of another CSO numbering over 100 took over the streets of Lagos on Monday to demand the sack of Bawa over human rights infringement and disobedience of court orders.
While disclosing that the EFCC boss has failed in his fight against corruption, Ogenyi bemoaned that it was unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility of protecting the Constitution of the country are the ones flagrantly abusing it.
He said, “As Nigerians, we believed that the youths in a leadership position should be more proactive, coordinated and humane in discharging their duties while protecting the integrity and image of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially in the areas of anti-corruption, human rights and democratic governance.
“With the appointment of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Nigerians expected a paradigm shift in the operational areas of the commission which we anticipated a radical improvement in terms of service delivery to earn the confidence of Nigerians, but the reverse is the case.
“Here is a vibrant young man who has been committed to prison on two different occasions regarding his abuse of court order.
“His reign has seen the worst relationship between the EFCC and the judiciary, an arm supposedly used to convict financial offenders by the same commission.”
According to him, Nigeria as a nation is faced with diverse problems ranging from the shortage of premium motor spirit (fuel), epileptic power supply, deliberate shortage of monetary currency, flagrant abuse of office and intentional disregard for a court order.
He, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Service to intervene by calling Bawa to order.
“Recently, a Lokoja High Court convicted and ordered his arrest and committal to Kuje Correctional Center until he purged himself of the contempt, nevertheless he proceeded to harass, investigate and prosecute those who secured these rightful orders.
“The EFCC Chairman even expanded his persecution to other individuals who have ever done lawful business with the Kogi State government without fault.
“Under Bawa’s watch, the United States of America issues a report which indicted the EFCC for chasing Yahoo boys and abandoning the real financial crime offenders to enjoy their loot.
“The commission has become the opposite of President Buhahri’s principle of a strong institutional government.
“We, therefore call on the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Service to wade in and compel the EFCC Chairman to obey court orders before he finally collapsed the image and integrity of the Buhari’s administration.
“At this eve of transition, we are ready to protect Mr President’s image and preserve his legacy. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call Mr Bawa to order by not allowing him to live above the constitution, but to obey it.
We make bold to say that, if Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa fails to obey the various courts’ orders including the ones that committed him to Kuje correctional centre within 72 hours, we shall mobilise thousands to the street, to press home our demands, because Nigeria is not the Banana Republic where there is no law and order.
“We will occupy the AGF office and then we move to Bawa’s office.
“Thereafter, we move to the Presidency.”
