EFCC: Lagos Zonal Office recovered over N10.9 billion in 2020 – Abdulrasheed Bawa

The new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has revealed that the anti-graft agency Lagos Zonal Office recovered over N10.9 billion in 2020.
Bawa made this revelation on Wednesday during his screening at the Senate.

He promised to reposition the commission so that the Directorate will be proactive rather than reactive. His speech below.

The issue of political witch-hunt has been against the EFCC since its inception. When it comes to the issues of trial in court, at the end of every investigation, files are sent to the Legal Department to see whether or not the investigation warrants going to court. As I said, we are not perfect. I do state here that we have 90 per cent success rate on matters that we have charged to court
On the issue of media trial we have a responsibility as a commission to enlighten the public about our activities as a commission. Matters that are in court are already in the public domain. The press have right to demand for those records and print them. So it is not within our control to determine which matter that is in court can be published or not.

When my appointment was announced last week Tuesday, an elderly man advised me and he said, ‘Mallam Bawa, you are now 40 years old. Even if you succeed and serve two terms you are still going to be 48 years old’ and he said I have a very long future ahead of me. I am a human being but I assure you I am going to discharge my duties without fear or favour. Conscious of the fact that I am a human being and after this life I will die and after my death there will be judgement and sentence.

I have a very cordial relationship with former Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu. I was never arrested nor detained by him. He called me on phone to congratulate me on my appointment. I do have a very cordial working relationship with former Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

The EFCC is not only serving the public, it also serves the private sector and recoveries are made both for public, private and individuals in the private sector. The Lagos Zonal Office recovered over N10.9 billion last year. Anytime EFCC Chairman do mention about recoveries he made, he mentions about everything that covers both public and private sector. I hope God willing, we are going to digitalize the process on everything that we do going forward.

We have a full-fledged Directorate of Internal Affairs that police the officers of EFCC. And we will reposition it so that the Directorate will be proactive rather than reactive. So the self-cleansing is going to commence regarding the repositioning of that department.

What I can do differently is leading by example. I have never been in office a minute after 8:00am except something happens. I will try as much as possible to ensure that I am leading the path.
Thank you very much Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the motherly advice you gave earlier on.

On issues of asset disposal, God willing, will be carried out on case by case basis. As we are concluding a case in court and sequel to court’s judgement, we will go on discharging that asset and I think that will solve most of our problems.

If we have proper funding, I can tell you that law enforcement will be different in this country. A single case may cost you maybe N20 million. What I believe is proper funding can change the face of law enforcement in this country.

I assure you that the confidence that Mr. President has on me and my colleagues will be repaid with diligent work for the betterment of this country.