The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Abdulrasheed Bawa as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The confirmation was done after a screening exercise that lasted for over two hours and presided over by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Bawa ushered into the hallowed Chamber at 11.45am by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Babajide Omoworare was questioned by Senators ranging from the operations of the EFCC, process of asset forfeiture, management and disposal, and prosecution of offenders.
Bawa during the question and answer said he hopes to make the EFCC a better place when he leaves.
Bawa further said he “intend to work with them closely by sharing information in order to attain our mutual and independent objective.
“We need to repatriate all our stolen assets for the benefit and betterment of all Nigerians.
“It is a dream of every patriotic Nigerian to see Nigeria growing to a greater height and I hope and pray that if confirmed, I will live to contribute my quota in seeing that this country is taken to a greater height.
“I am going to give the young people a very good representation in the governance of this country so that more young people will be given more responsibility in this country.”
He also denied the allegation of selling recovered properties while heading the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office and said he has a good relationship with his predecessors.
Many of the lawmakers praised Bawa for his years of service, and noted that his appointment is a manifestation of the demands of young Nigerians to occupy top leadership positions. The Senators unanimously approved his appointment.
Bawa, 40, holds a B.Sc degree in Economics, and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy and is currently the Head of Operations of the Commission’s Lagos office.
Upon his confirmation by the Senate, Bawa is expected to take over from Mohammed Umar Abba, who was appointed as Acting Chairman by President Buhari last year, following the suspension of the immediate past Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.
